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