1-1 1 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 1194 1-3 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas takes pleasure in 1-4 recognizing Ben Thomas for his many contributions as a neighborhood 1-5 leader to the City of Plano; and 1-6 WHEREAS, Ben Thomas is well known for his outstanding work 1-7 in the Douglass Community, and he was recently honored when the 1-8 City of Plano proclaimed a Ben Thomas Day on the occasion of the 1-9 grand opening of the Thomas Gymnasium; and 1-10 WHEREAS, A gifted leader and community volunteer, Ben Thomas 1-11 is a lifelong Douglass Community resident who never gave up on 1-12 his efforts to improve the area, and the community is now reaping 1-13 the benefits of his work; and 1-14 WHEREAS, The Douglass Community was originally settled on the 1-15 outskirts of Plano and was inhabited by ex-slaves who worked in 1-16 the fields; as Plano grew, Douglass became a neglected inner-city 1-17 neighborhood that had no sewers and only one water line; and 1-18 WHEREAS, Ben's father was J. L. Thomas, the city's most 1-19 successful black entrepreneur, who was called Plano's poorest 1-20 philanthropist because he spent his money feeding the hungry; 1-21 following in his father's footsteps, Ben Thomas became a community 1-22 activist who helped to integrate the schools in the 1960s and 1-23 who has worked hard on a wide variety of projects to better the 2-1 lifestyles of area citizens; and 2-2 WHEREAS, Today, as a result of Ben's efforts, new homes are 2-3 now replacing shanties in the Douglass Community, streets are being 2-4 rebuilt, and the area's aesthetic appeal is rapidly growing; and 2-5 WHEREAS, As a member of the board of directors of the 2-6 Douglass Community Arts Advisory Committee, Ben Thomas has 2-7 also helped to raise funds for the installation of a mural 2-8 illustrating the history of the Douglass Community; the project 2-9 is a permanent art illustration on the entrance wall for the Dart 2-10 Rail Line depicting the theme "Tracks of Our Past and Future"; and 2-11 WHEREAS, An exemplary and distinguished gentleman, Ben Thomas 2-12 has played a major role in reviving the Douglass Community, and 2-13 his efforts and accomplishments are a source of much pride to the 2-14 citizens of Plano; now, therefore, be it 2-15 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 2-16 77th Legislature, hereby express appreciation to Ben Thomas 2-17 for his many achievements and for the time and energy he has 2-18 graciously devoted to the Douglass Community; and, be it further 2-19 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for him 2-20 as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate. 2-21 Shapiro 2-22 ______________________________________ 2-23 President of the Senate 2-24 I hereby certify that the above 2-25 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 2-26 on May 25, 2001. 2-27 ______________________________________ 2-28 Secretary of the Senate 2-29 ______________________________________ 2-30 Member, Texas Senate