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                                                                  H.R. No. 88 



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, For more than half a century, Willie Lee Gay has 
dedicated her professional life to the research, study, and 
teaching of Texas history, and her accomplishments as both a 
historian and an educator are deserving of the very highest praise 
and commendation; and
	WHEREAS, A native of Cameron, the former Willie Lee 
Washington developed a passion for Lone Star history at an early 
age, and by 1959 she had completed both a B.A. in history and an M.A. 
in English at Texas Southern University; with the support and 
encouragement of her family, she embarked on a successful career in 
public education, and during her tenure as a history teacher at 
Carter G. Woodson Junior High School, which lasted until her 
retirement in 1986, she proved herself to be an educator of uncommon 
creativity, commitment, and compassion; and
	WHEREAS, Mrs. Gay's teaching has influenced the lives of 
countless citizens of Southeast Houston, including such elected 
officials as State Representative Ron Wilson and State Senator 
Rodney Ellis; in addition to her work as an instructor, she has 
pursued a lifelong quest to enrich our understanding of the Lone 
Star State's history, and in doing so she has located important 
historical artifacts, uncovered records at local archives, written 
definitive historical accounts, and contributed greatly to the 
efforts of local and state historical commissions; and
	WHEREAS, With innumerable honors, awards, and appointments 
to her credit, Mrs. Gay currently serves as a guide for the Harris 
County Heritage Society Museum and is a distinguished member of 
both the Texas State Historical Association and the Harris County 
Historical Commission; the first African American to serve on the 
Texas Historical Commission, she has created a legacy that will 
long be preserved in the archives of Texas Southern University's 
Willie Lee Gay Collection and in the work of the researchers who 
receive assistance from the Willie Lee Gay Permanent Endowment 
Fund; most recently, the Houston Community College System has named 
the Willie Lee Gay Hall in her honor, and we join with the residents 
of Houston in paying tribute to this truly outstanding citizen of 
the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature, 2nd Called Session, hereby commend Willie Lee Gay for 
her many remarkable contributions to the community of Houston and 
the State of Texas and extend to her best wishes for continued 
success and happiness in all her endeavors; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for Mrs. Gay as an expression of high regard by the Texas 
House of Representatives.

                                                                          Wilson

                                                  ______________________________
                                                       Speaker of the House     

	I certify that H.R. No. 88 was adopted by the House on August 
13, 2003, by a non-record vote.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House