By Dutton H.R. No. 157 77R4849 GMW-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, Ovide Duncantell is retiring on January 31, 2001, 1-2 from his position with Project RIO of the Texas Workforce 1-3 Commission (TWC), and it is indeed a privilege to honor this 1-4 esteemed gentleman for his many years of hard work and dedication; 1-5 and 1-6 WHEREAS, A Louisiana native, Mr. Duncantell earned bachelor's 1-7 and master's degrees from Texas Southern University; he began his 1-8 employment with TWC in 1984 as a part of the Welfare Work Incentive 1-9 Program, assisting welfare recipients in gaining employment and 1-10 achieving economic independence; and 1-11 WHEREAS, After a productive tenure with TWC's College 1-12 Vocational Training program, during which he received the Top 1-13 Employment Hire Award in 1987, Mr. Duncantell joined Project RIO in 1-14 1990; he then enjoyed successful stints with the TWC Reclamation 1-15 Program, TWC Disabled Worker's Program, and the Job South Program, 1-16 after which he returned to Project RIO, where he has continued to 1-17 serve with distinction and from where he will retire after 16 years 1-18 of devoted state employment; and 1-19 WHEREAS, This civic-minded gentleman has also donated his 1-20 time and talents to numerous noteworthy organizations, including 1-21 being a board member for the Latino Learning Center in Houston and 1-22 a member of LULAC; moreover, he founded the Black Heritage Society 1-23 Inc., a nonprofit, self-help community agency for which he 1-24 currently serves as executive director; and 2-1 WHEREAS, A devoted community leader and political activist, 2-2 Ovide Duncantell has strived in his myriad professional and civic 2-3 endeavors to ensure social justice for all, and it is indeed a 2-4 privilege to pay tribute to him as he concludes an outstanding 2-5 tenure of public service; now, therefore, be it 2-6 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas 2-7 Legislature hereby honor Ovide Duncantell on the occasion of his 2-8 retirement from Project RIO of the Texas Workforce Commission and 2-9 extend to him sincere best wishes for success and happiness in the 2-10 future; and, be it further 2-11 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-12 prepared for Mr. Duncantell as an expression of high regard by the 2-13 Texas House of Representatives.