H.R. No. 1046



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Princess Hopson of Beaumont has received the Whitney 
M. Young Jr. Service Award from the Three Rivers Council, Boy Scouts 
of America, for her exemplary commitment to her community; and
	WHEREAS, Following in the footsteps of her parents, whose 
legacy of service had a lasting and positive effect on their 
daughter as well as on their fellow citizens, Mrs. Hopson 
demonstrates that family attribute as she promotes life-enhancing 
affiliations, particularly with scouting and church; and
	WHEREAS, Mrs. Hopson's father, the Reverend Charles Graham, 
established Graham Congregational Church, which  became an anchor 
of African-American life in Beaumont and continues to be his 
daughter's house of worship today and a source of spiritual and 
practical assistance for many in the community; moreover, Reverend 
Graham founded Barnwell Community Center, which included a soup 
kitchen and garden, the Beaumont Negro Goodwill Council, a branch 
of the YMCA, which later became what is now the L. L. Melton YMCA, 
and the first African-American newspaper in Southeast Texas; and
	WHEREAS, Mrs. Hopson grew up feeling that she was a part of 
Boy Scout Troop 24, which was founded in 1931 by her father as the 
first local troop established for African Americans; she recalls 
frequent troop-sponsored family activities held at the church; 
during her 23-year tenure as manager of Plymouth Village 
Apartments, she ensured that tenants with children received 
applications for scouting membership along with their lease 
information and promoted parental involvement in scouting; and
	WHEREAS, Today, Mrs. Hopson encourages young men and women, 
including members of her own family, to consider community service 
and scouting as excellent uses of their time and resources; her 
close-knit family includes five children, Rayford L. Hopson, 
Madison G. Hopson, Hermann C. Hopson, Ida M. E. Browning, and 
Priscilla B. N. Simmons, and she has passed on her avid interest in 
scouting to her relatives; and
	WHEREAS, Princess Hopson's outstanding leadership and 
untiring devotion to the community of Beaumont have truly enhanced 
the lives of her neighbors and fellow citizens, and she has long 
served as an inspiration to all those who have been privileged to 
know her; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature hereby commend Princess Hopson on being named the 
recipient of the Whitney M. Young Jr. Service Award from the Three 
Rivers Council, Boy Scouts of America, and extend to her warmest 
best wishes for continued success and happiness; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for Mrs. Hopson as an expression of high regard by the 
Texas House of Representatives.

                                                                        Deshotel

                                                  ______________________________
                                                       Speaker of the House     

	I certify that H.R. No. 1046 was adopted by the House on May 
20, 2003, by a non-record vote.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House