1-1                          SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 568
 1-2           WHEREAS, On Saturday, April 10, 1999, the Top Ladies of
 1-3     Distinction, Incorporated, will honor 30 female law enforcement
 1-4     officers at a celebration at the Braeswood Hotel and Conference
 1-5     Center; and
 1-6           WHEREAS, Well-deserved recognition will be accorded these
 1-7     meritorious ladies as Unsung Heroines, and the Honorary Chairlady
 1-8     will be Houston Police Officer Vonda Higgins, who will receive the
 1-9     1999 Merit Award; and
1-10           WHEREAS, Seriously injured in the line of duty, Vonda Higgins
1-11     is one of those courageous women in police work who risk their lives
1-12     every day to protect our citizenry; she believes in the importance
1-13     of a fair and effective law enforcement system; and
1-14           WHEREAS, Officer Higgins enjoyed her career as an undercover
1-15     drug officer; she was shot in the line of duty, and today she is a
1-16     quadriplegic with very limited use of her hands and arms; and
1-17           WHEREAS, Her tenacity and strength in applying herself to her
1-18     physical rehabilitation are commendable; her goal is to go back to
1-19     the work she loves; Vonda Higgins has not lost her sense of humor
1-20     and makes the very best of her situation; and
1-21           WHEREAS, The courage and personal sacrifice of this dauntless
1-22     officer are truly deserving of the 1999 Merit Award; now, therefore,
1-23     be it
1-24           RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
 2-1     76th Legislature, hereby congratulate Houston Police Officer
 2-2     Vonda Higgins for winning this impressive award given by the Top
 2-3     Ladies of Distinction, Incorporated; and, be it further
 2-4           RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for this
 2-5     outstanding peace officer as an expression of the highest regard
 2-6     and esteem of the Texas Senate.
 2-7                                                                   Ellis
 2-8                                  ______________________________________
 2-9                                          President of the Senate
2-10                                       I hereby certify that the above
2-11                                  Resolution was adopted by the Senate
2-12                                  on April 7, 1999.
2-13                                  ______________________________________
2-14                                          Secretary of the Senate
2-15                                  ______________________________________
2-16                                           Member, Texas Senate