1-1                                     1
 1-2                         SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 1125
 1-3           WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas takes pride in
 1-4     recognizing Mark and Elana Levine, who have recently been selected
 1-5     as co-winners for the title of Small Business Person of the Year
 1-6     by the El Paso Small Business Association; and
 1-7           WHEREAS, Mark and Elana Levine opened their sports uniform
 1-8     company, Bakka, in El Paso in 1992; the company makes uniforms for
 1-9     professional and amateur ice-hockey teams, and El Paso was chosen
1-10     as the company's locale due to the city's workforce experience in
1-11     the apparel industry; and
1-12           WHEREAS, Mark and Elana run an efficient business and
1-13     provide their clients with first-rate products and service; under
1-14     their careful management, Bakka has grown rapidly; in 1995, the
1-15     company grew by more than 149 percent, two years ago by 31 percent,
1-16     and last year by just under 25 percent; and
1-17           WHEREAS, The company's growth is expected to continue, and
1-18     Bakka aims to expand its product line into other sports, such as
1-19     baseball, basketball, and soccer; the company anticipates
1-20     incorporating lettering and embroidery art onto its jerseys; and
1-21           WHEREAS, Bakka provides employment opportunities and plays
1-22     a role in stimulating the area's economy and small business
 2-1     competition; Bakka currently employs 70 manufacturing workers and
 2-2     has a sales force of 18 people; the owners anticipate employing
 2-3     150 people by the year 2001; and
 2-4           WHEREAS, Elana and Mark Levine are exemplary citizens and
 2-5     successful entrepreneurs, and their company has had a positive
 2-6     impact on the El Paso community and serves as a model for small
 2-7     businesses throughout the state; now, therefore, be it
 2-8           RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
 2-9     76th Legislature, hereby commend Mark and Elana Levine on their
2-10     entrepreneurial spirit and their success and extend congratulations
2-11     to them on sharing the designation of Small Business Person of the
2-12     Year; and, be it further
2-13           RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
2-14     them as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate.
2-15                                                               Shapleigh
2-16                                  ______________________________________
2-17                                          President of the Senate
2-18                                       I hereby certify that the above
2-19                                  Resolution was adopted by the Senate
2-20                                  on May 26, 1999.
2-21                                  ______________________________________
2-22                                          Secretary of the Senate
2-23                                  ______________________________________
2-24                                           Member, Texas Senate