By Dutton H.R. No. 489 77R8612 MJS-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, Officer Howard L. Martin of the Houston Police 1-2 Department has been named the recipient of an Outstanding Texan 1-3 Award for his contributions to the field of public safety; and 1-4 WHEREAS, Presented by the Texas Legislative Black Caucus, 1-5 this accolade recognizes individuals who have demonstrated 1-6 outstanding service to their communities; with his integrity and 1-7 dedication to duty, Officer Martin has proven himself most 1-8 deserving of this prestigious honor; and 1-9 WHEREAS, A native Texan who studied criminal justice at the 1-10 University of Houston, he began his law enforcement career on 1-11 January 8, 1968, as a traffic enforcement officer in Southwest 1-12 Houston and was later assigned to the northeast patrol division for 1-13 10 years; and 1-14 WHEREAS, In his current assignment as an officer for the 1-15 northeast community services division and as a liaison for the 1-16 Fifth Ward Blocks Organizing Neighborhood Defense, Officer Martin 1-17 has worked with many people to address their concerns and bring 1-18 about positive changes in the community that enhance the quality of 1-19 life for everyone; and 1-20 WHEREAS, This highly respected gentleman donates his time and 1-21 considerable talents in other ways as well and is a member of 1-22 Antioch Baptist Church, where he serves as an organist, guitarist, 1-23 and pianist for the congregation; and 1-24 WHEREAS, For more than three decades, Officer Martin has 2-1 upheld the time-honored oath of the law enforcement profession to 2-2 protect and serve his fellow citizens; the Houston community has 2-3 reaped the benefits of his commitment and devotion to the public's 2-4 welfare, and it is truly a privilege to pay tribute to him at this 2-5 time; now, therefore, be it 2-6 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas 2-7 Legislature hereby congratulate Officer Howard L. Martin of the 2-8 Houston Police Department for earning an Outstanding Texan Award 2-9 from the Texas Legislative Black Caucus and extend to him sincere 2-10 best wishes for continued success and happiness; and, be it further 2-11 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-12 prepared for Officer Martin as an expression of high regard by the 2-13 Texas House of Representatives.