By Moreno of Harris                                    H.R. No. 850
         76R14566 BE-D                           
                                 R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives takes great pride
 1-2     in recognizing the numerous contributions made by Neighborhood
 1-3     Centers Inc. Ripley House to the city and residents of Houston, for
 1-4     the many outstanding outreach efforts accomplished by this worthy
 1-5     organization and its dedicated members indeed merit special
 1-6     legislative recognition; and
 1-7           WHEREAS, Founded in 1941, Ripley House has become a powerful
 1-8     force for positive change in Houston, providing educational and
 1-9     recreational services to more than 3,000 people each day from a
1-10     campus that covers approximately eight acres and includes four
1-11     community buildings; and
1-12           WHEREAS, For almost six decades Ripley House has functioned
1-13     as a gathering place and service center that helps fulfill the
1-14     civic and social needs of area residents; these valuable services
1-15     include alternative education programs, summer recreational
1-16     activities, family information and referral services, and
1-17     after-school evaluation, prevention, and mentoring activities, as
1-18     well as a variety of senior citizen programs and emergency
1-19     assistance for families in crisis; and
1-20           WHEREAS, The highlight of Ripley House's social activities is
1-21     the annual Pan American Salute, a fund-raising celebration of
1-22     Houston's widely varying cultures and traditions; this year's
1-23     event, held April 20, 1999, was the 12th annual salute and was
1-24     capped by the naming of Miss and Mr. Pan American; and
 2-1           WHEREAS, Marjorie Jimenez was crowned Miss Pan American, for
 2-2     this lovely and talented 25-year old Venezuelan sings and dances
 2-3     and has won a number of awards as a model in New York; a digitizer,
 2-4     Ms. Jimenez sings in the Hispanic Church Choir and is deeply
 2-5     committed to social reform; and
 2-6           WHEREAS, Enrique Van, manager of network operations for SBC
 2-7     Communications, Inc., was named Mr. Pan American; a graduate of The
 2-8     University of Texas at El Paso with a bachelor's degree in
 2-9     engineering, he is a multitalented young man who sings, plays the
2-10     guitar, and specializes in Latin-style ballroom dancing and  has
2-11     earned a number of leadership honors as well, including the
2-12     EPA-Americorp Educational Award and the Hispanic Excellence in the
2-13     Community Award; and
2-14           WHEREAS, Few community organizations can match the success of
2-15     Ripley House and its dedicated staff and volunteers, and as this
2-16     remarkable institution carries its tradition of civic concern and
2-17     action into the 21st century, it is indeed appropriate to recognize
2-18     Ripley House and its distinguished members; now, therefore, be it
2-19           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas
2-20     Legislature hereby commend the public-spirited efforts of the
2-21     volunteers and staff of Neighborhood Centers Inc.  Ripley House,
2-22     congratulating them on the successful conclusion of their 12th
2-23     Annual Pan American Salute, and extend to all those involved with
2-24     this worthy organization warmest best wishes for even greater
2-25     happiness and success in the years to come; and, be it further
2-26           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-27     prepared for Ripley House as an expression of highest regard by the
 3-1     Texas House of Representatives.