By Giddings                                           H.R. No. 1158
         77R16843 WMS-D                           
                                 R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, On May 23, 2001, a group of Nigerian legislators
 1-2     from the Rivers State House of Assembly is visiting the State
 1-3     Capitol to observe and study the process of the Texas Legislature;
 1-4     and
 1-5           WHEREAS, Nigeria is Africa's most populous country, with more
 1-6     than 123 million citizens composed of more than 250 ethnic groups,
 1-7     and is also the world's 10th largest oil producing nation; and
 1-8           WHEREAS, Per capita income in Nigeria is improving; the
 1-9     population, which in 2000 was growing at a rate of 2.67 percent, is
1-10     becoming demographically younger, and this demographic change will
1-11     foster growth in consumer products, income-producing assets,
1-12     including housing, and technological tools; and
1-13           WHEREAS, A dramatic occurrence took place in the country in
1-14     1999, when a democratic government was instituted by Olusegun
1-15     Obasanjo, and the Rivers State House of Assembly came into
1-16     existence in May of that year, following the proclamation of the
1-17     first executive governor of the new Rivers State, His Excellency,
1-18     Dr. Peter Odili; the newly created assembly is considered one of
1-19     the finest in Nigeria and has received numerous accolades; and
1-20           WHEREAS, The presence in Austin of the members of the
1-21     esteemed delegation from Rivers State provides a unique opportunity
1-22     for cultural exchange, and the State of Texas is honored by their
1-23     visit; now, therefore, be it
1-24           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas
 2-1     Legislature hereby welcome the legislative delegation from the
 2-2     Nigerian Rivers State House of Assembly to the State Capitol and
 2-3     extend to them sincere best wishes for the future.