1-1                          SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 971
 1-2           WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to honor
 1-3     Shantera Rayford, a recipient of the 1999 Children's Defense Fund's
 1-4     "Beat the Odds" award; and
 1-5           WHEREAS, For many children in our Texas communities,
 1-6     graduating from high school, accumulating a good grade point
 1-7     average, and attending college are hard-won achievements;
 1-8     overwhelming obstacles such as poverty, abandonment, familial
 1-9     discord, and illness impede these children's path to success; to
1-10     triumph over such adversity requires nothing short of Herculean
1-11     effort; and
1-12           WHEREAS, Tenacity, strength, determination, self-confidence,
1-13     and bravery are qualities these children must possess to beat the
1-14     odds against them; the Children's Defense Fund seeks to honor and
1-15     support young people who have overcome great adversity in their
1-16     quest for achievement with its "Beat the Odds" award, a $2,500
1-17     college scholarship, and a $1,000 scholarship from Foley's; and
1-18           WHEREAS, To receive this year's "Beat the Odds" award,
1-19     Shantera Rayford has persevered through the most challenging of
1-20     circumstances; she has attained a healthy respect for herself and
1-21     held fast to her goals; and
 2-1           WHEREAS, Shantera Rayford has truly beaten the odds
 2-2     against her; her capacity to keep striving, no matter the trials,
 2-3     is inspirational; Texas wishes this young woman all the success
 2-4     in the world; now, therefore, be it
 2-5           RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
 2-6     76th Legislature, hereby extend sincere congratulations to
 2-7     Shantera Rayford on receiving the Children's Defense Fund's
 2-8     "Beat the Odds" award; and, be it further
 2-9           RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
2-10     this esteemed young woman as an expression of high regard from the
2-11     Texas Senate.
2-12                                                                   Ellis
2-13                                  ______________________________________
2-14                                          President of the Senate
2-15                                       I hereby certify that the above
2-16                                  Resolution was adopted by the Senate
2-17                                  on May 13, 1999.
2-18                                  ______________________________________
2-19                                          Secretary of the Senate
2-20                                  ______________________________________
2-21                                           Member, Texas Senate