H.R. No. 245



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Cleopatra Nia Williams of Houston has accomplished 
much in her 20 years, and this remarkable performer with the Houston 
Ballet Company is proving daily that her star will continue to rise 
ever higher in the years to come; and
	WHEREAS, Born June 15, 1982, Ms. Williams exhibited 
exceptional ability early in life; at the age of three, she began 
her first ballet class and was noted by her instructor to be 
disciplined and focused, rare qualities in a child so young; and
	WHEREAS, By the age of five, this prodigy danced in her first 
professional performance of The Nutcracker and was soon offered a 
scholarship to Margo Marshall's School of Ballet, home of City  
Ballet of Houston; in 1995, she was selected to join the elite 
Joffrey School of Ballet in New York City; and
	WHEREAS, After declining the school's offer to stay an 
additional year, she returned to her hometown to attend the High 
School of Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA) in Houston and to hone 
her skills at the Houston Ballet Academy; and
	WHEREAS, Demonstrating an unwavering dedication to her 
craft, Ms. Williams left HSPVA after being denied her request to 
attend afternoon ballet practice; placing ballet as her top 
priority, she successfully auditioned for the Houston Ballet 
Company and is currently part of the company's corps de ballet, in 
which capacity she has earned the admiration of countless patrons 
of the arts for her ability to convey emotion and expression through 
the beauty of her movement; and
	WHEREAS, Ms. Williams enjoys the support of her family in all 
of her endeavors; she is especially encouraged and adored by her 
mother, Lydia, who has raised this gifted young lady with the help 
of Cleopatra's grandparents, Cleola and Rudolph Williams, her 
great-great-grandmother Leola Williams, and her aunt and uncle, 
Regina and Clyde Williams; and
	WHEREAS, A young woman of incredible dedication and talent, 
Ms. Williams has the tools necessary to achieve all of her goals, 
and stands as a role model to other young people who tenaciously 
work past any hurdles placed in their way to make their dreams a 
reality; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature hereby commend Cleopatra Nia Williams on her artistic 
achievement and extend to her sincere best wishes for continued 
success and happiness; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for Ms. Williams as an expression of high regard by the 
Texas House of Representatives.

                                                                          Farrar

                                                  ______________________________
                                                       Speaker of the House     

	I certify that H.R. No. 245 was adopted by the House on March 
28, 2003, by a non-record vote.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House