78S10735 WMS-D

By:  Goolsby                                                      H.R. No. 104



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Gary Griffith was elected to the Dallas City Council 
on May 31, 2003, and his selection to that body by the city's voters 
provides an ideal opportunity to recognize him for his many notable 
contributions to the Dallas area; and
	WHEREAS, A graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, this 
accomplished gentleman pursued his higher education at The 
University of Texas at Austin, where he attained his bachelor of 
arts degree in government in 1970; he is now the president of a 
successful public relations firm, Jefferson Partners, which was 
founded in 1994; and
	WHEREAS, Councilman Griffith brings a keen understanding of 
public service to his new post, having previously been a member of 
the City of Dallas Planning and Zoning Commission and the Dallas 
Park Board; while on the planning commission he was instrumental in 
securing a new urban design and land use plan for Garland Road and a 
new urban design plan for Bachman-Northwest Highway; he also gave 
staunch support to the Forest Hills Planned Development District; 
and
	WHEREAS, Equally productive during his tenure with the park 
board, he played a vital role in bringing to fruition such 
initiatives as the city's first volunteer-funded dog park and a 
new, volunteer-funded trail at Lakewood Park; he further 
demonstrated tremendous vision through his work on an aquatics plan 
for the park department, master plans for Randall Park and Fair 
Park, and a long-range plan for overall park development; and
	WHEREAS, Long active in community affairs, Councilman 
Griffith has served on the governing board of Doctors Hospital and 
on the boards of directors of the White Rock Lake Foundation, Dallas 
Summer Musicals, Fair Park/South Dallas Trust Fund, Rotary Club of 
Dallas, Child Care Dallas, and The University of Texas Ex-Students 
Association of Dallas; he has helped guide the health care division 
of United Way Dallas and is a valued member of the Lakewood 
Neighborhood Association and the Dallas Northeast Chamber of 
Commerce; and
	WHEREAS, Widely recognized as a dynamic leader, he was chosen 
as a founding director of the Texas Lyceum Association, and his 
seasoned judgment has been felt statewide  through his service with 
the Texas Hospital Association, State Commission on Judicial 
Conduct, and Texas Optometry Board; and
	WHEREAS, Councilman Griffith's concern for area students is 
reflected in his creation and chairmanship of the Woodrow Wilson 
High School Class of 1966 scholarship committee, as well as his 
efforts throughout the Dallas Independent School District to foster 
the Character Counts! program; moreover, he has helped to institute 
the Drug Free Youth in Texas Program in DISD middle schools and high 
schools; and
	WHEREAS, He has been supported in his many endeavors by his 
wife of 33 years, Jackie McGaha Griffith, and by his twin daughters, 
Vickie and Mandy; and
	WHEREAS, Councilman Griffith has demonstrated an enduring 
commitment to creating a brighter, more prosperous future for his 
fellow citizens, and it is indeed appropriate that he be honored for 
his exemplary civic engagement; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby congratulate Gary Griffith 
on his election to the Dallas City Council and extend to him best 
wishes for great success as he takes on the responsibilities of that 
position; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for Councilman Griffith as an expression of high regard by 
the Texas House of Representatives.