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.