78S41304 MW-D

By:  Dutton                                                       H.R. No. 216



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, A. Jo Baylor has been accorded the annual Government 
Achievement Award by the National Federation of Black Women 
Business Owners; and
	WHEREAS, Ms. Baylor serves as director of the Office of Small 
and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) at the U.S. 
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), where she is 
responsible for the implementation and execution of HUD's 
activities and programs in behalf of small businesses; and
	WHEREAS, Sworn in as director in July 2001, Ms. Baylor has 
overseen remarkable success in achieving that office's mission; 
last year, HUD awarded 54 percent of its contract dollars to small 
businesses, far exceeding its Small Business Administration (SBA) 
goal of 31 percent, and HUD surpassed all other federal agencies in 
making awards to 8(a) firms, women-owned small businesses, and 
businesses owned by service-disabled veterans; and
	WHEREAS, Since Ms. Baylor took the helm at OSDBU, HUD has been 
recognized by the Women's Business Network for its outstanding 
record in granting awards to women-owned businesses, and it has 
earned the SBA Frances Perkins Vanguard Award three consecutive 
years for its exceptional achievements in awarding contracts to 
small businesses; and
	WHEREAS, Recognizing Ms. Baylor's commitment to affordable 
housing, contracting access for small businesses, and better 
neighborhoods for America's inner-city youth, President George W. 
Bush selected this distinguished individual to lead OSDBU, and Ms. 
Baylor has proven worthy of that trust; she has served her fellow 
citizens with integrity and dedication, and she has played a 
pivotal role in ensuring HUD's provision of myriad opportunities to 
small and disadvantaged businesses; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature, 4th Called Session, hereby honor A. Jo Baylor for her 
receipt of the Government Achievement Award from the National 
Federation of Black Women Business Owners and extend to her sincere 
best wishes for continued success in all her endeavors; and, be it 
further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for Ms. Baylor as an expression of high regard by the Texas 
House of Representatives.