78R8697 WMS-D

By:  Riddle                                                       H.R. No. 478



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, On March 13, 2003, His Excellency András Simonyi, 
Hungary's ambassador to the United States, is visiting the Texas 
State Capitol, and this historic occasion merits special tribute; 
and
	WHEREAS, A native of Budapest, Ambassador Simonyi graduated 
from Budapest University in 1975 with a Ph.D. in political science, 
and during the 1980s he devoted considerable efforts to promoting 
better relations with the West, including programs with the 
American Council of Young Political Leaders; and
	WHEREAS, In 1989 he joined the Foreign Ministry and later 
served as deputy chief of mission in the Hague and at the Mission of 
Hungary to the European Communities and NATO in Brussels; and
	WHEREAS, The Ambassador's association with NATO has been both 
enduring and productive; as head of the NATO Liaison Office, he 
played a vital role in facilitating Hungarian membership in the 
alliance, initiated the stationing of U.S. armed forces in Hungary 
as part of NATO's campaign in Bosnia, and in 1999 became the first 
Hungarian permanent representative on the NATO Council; and
	WHEREAS, Ambassador Simonyi has also ably served his 
countrymen and the global community as vice president of the 
Hungarian Atlantic Council, cofounder of The Center for 
Euro-Atlantic Integration and Democracy, president of the 
Danish-Hungarian Friendship Society, and as Hungary's 
representative to the Western European Union Council; and
	WHEREAS, Dedicated to the betterment of his country and its 
people, Ambassador Simonyi is a man of high ideals and unwavering 
dedication to the cause of freedom, and it is indeed a pleasure and 
a privilege to welcome him at this time; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature hereby welcome András Simonyi, Hungary's ambassador to 
the United States, to the Capitol of the State of Texas; and, be it 
further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for Ambassador Simonyi as an expression of high regard by 
the Texas House of Representatives.