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78R11709 JNC-D

By:  Davis of Dallas                                              H.R. No. 830



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, After nearly three decades of journalistic 
integrity and achievement, Norma Adams-Wade retired from The Dallas 
Morning News on December 31, 2002; and
	WHEREAS, Her dream of becoming a writer was conceived in the 
fourth grade, when a local reporter, Julia Scott Reed, visited her 
class and instilled the goal to become a journalist in a bright and 
serious young girl; and
	WHEREAS, Ms. Adams-Wade's dedication and hard work resulted 
in her graduation from The University of Texas at Austin, and her 
dreams came to fruition in 1974 when she became the first full-time 
black reporter on staff for The Dallas Morning News; and
	WHEREAS, Gender and ethnic stereotypes did not daunt this 
bold, barrier-breaching woman as she dispelled doubts from within 
her company and the community at large with her disciplined and 
honest accounts of racial issues and views of the black community; 
and
	WHEREAS, The substantial writing talents of Ms. Adams-Wade 
were drawn on to cover subjects as diverse as health, housing, 
education, and human interest features; her investigative work 
exposed mismanagement in public housing in the 1970s, for which she 
received the Joe Dealey Publisher's Award, and she proudly led the 
paper's first comprehensive coverage of Black History Month in 
February 1985; and
	WHEREAS, A cofounder of the National Association of Black 
Journalists, which now has approximately 3,000 members, Ms. 
Adams-Wade also founded the association's five-state regional 
chapter and served as its director for more than two years; and
	WHEREAS, Widely recognized for her notable community 
contributions,  Ms. Adams-Wade received the Dallas-Fort Worth 
Association of Black Communicators' Lifetime Achievement Award and 
the NAACP Dallas Chapter's Juanita Craft Award for excellence and 
community service in journalism among her many honors; and
	WHEREAS, Since her retirement, Ms. Adams-Wade has not 
completely deprived Texans of her insightful opinions and keen 
observations, as she continues to write a weekly column for the 
paper; and
	WHEREAS, Norma Adams-Wade has made valuable contributions 
during her distinguished career as a skilled reporter who opened 
the doors of opportunity for those who would follow in her 
footsteps; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature hereby honor Norma Adams-Wade for her outstanding 
contributions to the field of journalism and extend to her sincere 
best wishes for a happy and rewarding retirement; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for Ms. Adams-Wade as an expression of high regard by the 
Texas House of Representatives.