H.R. No. 289



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is proud to 
welcome the reigning Miss America, Erika Harold, to the State 
Capitol on this day, which also happens to be her birthday; and
	WHEREAS, A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of 
Illinois, where she was also a Chancellor Scholar, the former Miss 
Illinois is as intelligent as she is lovely, and she was named to 
the USA Today All-USA College Academic Second Team and has been 
accepted to Harvard Law School; and
	WHEREAS, Ms. Harold possesses the beauty and grace that are 
always associated with Miss America, but she is also distinguished 
by her determination to serve as a role model for young people; her 
interest in empowering American youth against violence is  
reflected in her platform, "Respect Yourself, Protect Yourself"; 
and
	WHEREAS, An active force for positive change in our society, 
Ms. Harold has served as a spokesperson for the Teen Victims Project 
of the National Center for Victims of Crime as well as a 
spokesperson for Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, and she has devoted 
her time and energy to such worthy organizations as the National 
Board of Directors for the Center of Youth as Resources, the 
Advisory Council for the Empower Program, and the National Advisory 
Board for Peace Games; and
	WHEREAS, This charming and inspirational young woman is 
indeed an ideal choice to represent our nation in her role as Miss 
America, and she is truly worthy of special legislative recognition 
at this time; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature hereby congratulate Erika Harold, Miss America 2003, on 
the occasion of her birthday and extend to her sincere best wishes 
for continued success; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for Ms. Harold as an expression of high regard by the Texas 
House of Representatives.

                                                                           Dukes

                                                  ______________________________
                                                       Speaker of the House     

	I certify that H.R. No. 289 was adopted by the House on 
February 20, 2003, by a non-record vote.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House