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