1-1                                     1
 1-2                          SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 932
 1-3           WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to
 1-4     honor Courtney Wyly, a recipient of the 1999 Children's Defense
 1-5     Fund's "Beat the Odds" award; and
 1-6           WHEREAS, For many children in our Texas communities,
 1-7     achievements like graduating from high school, accumulating a
 1-8     good grade point average, and attending college are more than hard
 1-9     won; overwhelming obstacles such as poverty, abandonment, familial
1-10     discord, and illness impede these children's path to success; to
1-11     triumph over such adversity requires nothing short of herculean
1-12     effort; and
1-13           WHEREAS, Tenacity, strength, determination, self-confidence,
1-14     and bravery are but a few of the qualities these children must
1-15     possess to beat the odds against them; the Children's Defense Fund
1-16     seeks to honor and support young people who have overcome great
1-17     adversity in their quest for achievement with its "Beat the Odds"
1-18     award, a $2,500 college scholarship, and a $1,000 scholarship from
1-19     Foley's; and
1-20           WHEREAS, Courtney Wyly's 18 years have been full of hardship;
1-21     when she was five, her father was murdered, leaving a young mother
 2-1     to support three small children; to provide for her children,
 2-2     Courtney's mother turned to crime and was subsequently
 2-3     incarcerated; and
 2-4           WHEREAS, In her mother's absence, Courtney, who was only
 2-5     14, supported her sisters with various odd jobs; when her sisters
 2-6     returned to live with their mother, young Courtney stayed away,
 2-7     knowing she had to take full responsibility for her future; and
 2-8           WHEREAS, After living in several foster homes and attending
 2-9     five high schools in three years, Courtney, once again, took
2-10     charge; she had always wanted to attend the DeBakey High School
2-11     for the Health Professions, and, thus, she took measures to ensure
2-12     her eventual enrollment in the institution; and
2-13           WHEREAS, Courtney has performed exceptionally at the DeBakey
2-14     High School; she is graduating with a 3.7 grade point average and
2-15     will attend Grinnell College in Iowa with a full scholarship;
2-16     Courtney aspires to become a doctor; no doubt this remarkable young
2-17     woman, full of such courage and conviction, will achieve her dream;
2-18     and
2-19           WHEREAS, Courtney Wyly has truly beaten the odds against
2-20     her; her capacity to keep striving, no matter the trials, is
2-21     inspirational; Texas wishes this young woman all the success in
2-22     the world; now, therefore, be it
2-23           RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
 3-1     76th Legislature, hereby extend sincere congratulations to
 3-2     Courtney Wyly on receiving the Children's Defense Fund's "Beat
 3-3     the Odds" award; and, be it further
 3-4           RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
 3-5     this esteemed young woman as an expression of high regard from
 3-6     the Texas Senate.
 3-7                                                                   Ellis
 3-8                                  ______________________________________
 3-9                                          President of the Senate
3-10                                       I hereby certify that the above
3-11                                  Resolution was adopted by the Senate
3-12                                  on May 11, 1999.
3-13                                  ______________________________________
3-14                                          Secretary of the Senate
3-15                                  ______________________________________
3-16                                           Member, Texas Senate