1-1 ****** NEED TWO-PAGE HEADER ****** 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 249 1-3 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to 1-4 honor Dr. Laurence Craig Thomas, who recently received the 1-5 Optometrist of the Year Award; and 1-6 WHEREAS, A native Houstonian, Dr. Thomas received his 1-7 Doctor of Optometry degree from the University of Houston in 1-8 1983; that same year, he opened his practice in Dallas with 1-9 Richard Friedman, O.D.; and 1-10 WHEREAS, For the past 10 years, Dr. Thomas has been a 1-11 regular guest on KHVN 97 AM radio; on this popular show, Dr. Thomas 1-12 tackles problems ranging from eye disease to teenage pregnancy; 1-13 and 1-14 WHEREAS, A highly sought-after lecturer, Dr. Thomas has 1-15 spoken on many different topics at local Dallas County public 1-16 schools, including Madison High School, South Oak Cliff High 1-17 School, John B. Hood Middle School, and Merrifield Elementary 1-18 School; and 1-19 WHEREAS, Accolades for Dr. Thomas's outstanding work 1-20 include the 1990 Quest for Success Award sponsored by the Dallas 1-21 Black Chamber of Commerce and the Dallas Morning News, the 1991 1-22 Outstanding Texan Award presented by the Texas Legislative Black 2-1 Caucus, and the 1992 Top Cat Award given by the Dallas Independent 2-2 School District; and 2-3 WHEREAS, A highly respected community leader, Dr. Thomas 2-4 serves on the board of directors of an interfaith group housed 2-5 in Jubilee United Methodist Church; the group meets on a regular 2-6 basis and reaches out to the community with lectures on teen 2-7 pregnancies, dating, marriage, and divorce; and 2-8 WHEREAS, An exemplary and distinguished gentleman, Dr. Craig 2-9 Thomas is dedicated to his profession and to his work on behalf 2-10 of the community, and his contributions to the citizens of Dallas 2-11 have been invaluable; now, therefore, be it 2-12 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 2-13 77th Legislature, hereby commend Dr. Laurence Craig Thomas for 2-14 his many accomplishments and extend to him congratulations on 2-15 earning the Optometrist of the Year Award; and, be it further 2-16 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 2-17 him as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate. 2-18 West 2-19 ______________________________________ 2-20 President of the Senate 2-21 I hereby certify that the above 2-22 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 2-23 on February 15, 2001. 2-24 ______________________________________ 2-25 Secretary of the Senate 2-26 ______________________________________ 2-27 Member, Texas Senate