By Jones of Dallas H.R. No. 505 77R8873 MJS-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is proud to honor 1-2 the South Central Region of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., for 1-3 making immeasurable contributions in the lives of countless young 1-4 people; and 1-5 WHEREAS, The national organization's history dates back to 1-6 January 24, 1938, when Marion Stubbs Thomas held a meeting in her 1-7 home with 20 other women to discuss ways to provide children with 1-8 fulfilling and enriching social and cultural experiences; in its 1-9 infancy, Jack and Jill of America, Inc., lent assistance to a wide 1-10 range of worthwhile efforts, such as the National Research on 1-11 Rheumatic Fever, National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, March 1-12 of Dimes, Freedom Fund, Legal Defense Fund, National Association of 1-13 Mental Health, and the NAACP Life Membership; and 1-14 WHEREAS, Throughout the years, Jack and Jill of America, 1-15 Inc., which is the oldest African American family organization, has 1-16 continued to flourish and is now under the astute and skillful 1-17 guidance of President Ava Washington and Vice President Linda 1-18 Burkley; and 1-19 WHEREAS, In 1968, a philanthropic foundation was established 1-20 within the national organization to support educational, literacy, 1-21 scientific, and charitable projects to benefit children; in 1-22 addition, this outstanding foundation seeks to influence the 1-23 ongoing positive development of children; and 1-24 WHEREAS, The South Central Region of Jack and Jill of 2-1 America, Inc., which is composed of Texas, Louisiana, and New 2-2 Mexico, and has 17 local chapters in the Lone Star State alone, 2-3 plays an important part in furthering the goals of the national 2-4 organization through various programs and initiatives; and 2-5 WHEREAS, Texas has reaped the benefits of the South Central 2-6 Region's commitment to serving the youth of our state; with their 2-7 proactive approach on diverse initiatives, the members of this 2-8 admirable organization have had an integral role in preparing the 2-9 young people of Texas to become well-rounded adults and leaders in 2-10 all walks of life, and it is most appropriate to pay tribute to 2-11 them at this time; now, therefore, be it 2-12 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas 2-13 Legislature hereby commend the South Central Region of Jack and 2-14 Jill of America, Inc., for its service to the community and its 2-15 overall contributions to the positive development of children.