R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, Wilberforce University's National Alumni Association
 1-2     has selected Houston as the site of its 2001 National Alumni
 1-3     Conference, to be held on July 25-29; and
 1-4           WHEREAS, Established in 1856 in Wilberforce, Ohio, the
 1-5     university holds the singular distinction of being the first
 1-6     private institution of higher education to be owned and operated by
 1-7     African Americans; and
 1-8           WHEREAS, This outstanding university has a distinguished
 1-9     history and has played an integral role in helping educate and
1-10     develop thousands of young African American men and women
1-11     throughout the nation; and
1-12           WHEREAS, Under the astute leadership of President John L.
1-13     Henderson, the school is building on its proud heritage while
1-14     continuing to meet the needs of its diverse student body; it is one
1-15     of two four-year institutions in the country with a mandatory
1-16     cooperative education program, which combines academic instruction
1-17     in the liberal arts and sciences with regular employment
1-18     experiences; and
1-19           WHEREAS, Wilberforce University's alumni chapter in Houston
1-20     is serving as the host of this year's National Alumni Conference,
1-21     which is expected to draw approximately 500 delegates from across
1-22     the country; the  primary goal of the conference is to raise funds
1-23     for the university's scholarship program to benefit future college
1-24     students; and
 2-1           WHEREAS, Throughout the years, the school has  demonstrated a
 2-2     deep commitment to furthering education in the United States and
 2-3     takes great pride in its time-honored traditions and many
 2-4     successful alumni, and it is most appropriate to pay tribute to
 2-5     Wilberforce University and its alumni association; now, therefore,
 2-6     be it
 2-7           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas
 2-8     Legislature hereby commend Wilberforce University on the occasion
 2-9     of its National Alumni Conference in Houston and extend to all
2-10     those associated with this event sincere best wishes for an
2-11     enjoyable and memorable visit to the Lone Star State; and, be it
2-12     further
2-13           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-14     prepared for Wilberforce University's National Alumni Association
2-15     as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of
2-16     Representatives.
                                                                      Dutton
                                             _______________________________
                                                   Speaker of the House
               I certify that H.R. No. 1059 was adopted by the House on May
         25, 2001, by a non-record vote.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Chief Clerk of the House