By:  Turner                                                       H.R. No. 809



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, With the close of the 79th Session, the Honorable Al 
Edwards will be ending his service in the Texas Legislature, having 
represented his Houston area constituents, and in fact all Texans, 
with integrity and distinction for 28 years; and
	WHEREAS, A veteran of the civil rights movement who 
collaborated with Dr. Martin Luther King, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, 
and other leaders, Mr. Edwards has worked diligently to protect the 
gains won in that era and to honor the contributions made by African 
Americans and other minorities in Texas; in 1979, his first year of 
legislative service, he sponsored the bill that made June 19 a state 
holiday that commemorates Juneteenth--the date in 1865 when slaves 
in Texas were first notified of their emancipation--and has also 
carried out several non-legislative activities in support of this 
event; moreover, Representative Edwards has been an important 
leader among the state's African American lawmakers, serving as 
chairman of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus from 1991 to 1997; 
and
	WHEREAS, This veteran representative has been a key player on 
a number of important committees during his tenure; during the 79th 
Legislature, he was chair of Budget and Oversight for the Ways and 
Means Committee, served ably on the Appropriations Committee, and 
chaired the Rules and Resolutions Committee, a position he has held 
since 1991; in previous sessions, he was the chair of Budget and 
Oversight for the Intergovernmental Affairs Committee and chair of 
the House Joint Committee on Rail Passenger Service in Texas; in 
addition, Representative Edwards was a member of the Transportation 
Committee for 22 years and of the Urban Affairs Committee for seven 
terms; and
	WHEREAS, A concerned and active citizen, Mr. Edwards has been 
involved in a variety of other initiatives addressing important 
national and international causes; he was chairman and 
vice-chairman of the Democratic National Committee Black Caucus, 
served as Texas chairman for the 1984 and 1988 presidential 
campaigns of the Rev. Jesse Jackson, and founded Operation Justus, 
a community-based referral service addressing social issues; 
furthermore, Mr. Edwards has not been reticent to return to the 
direct forms of protest he learned during the civil rights 
movement; in 1987 he was jailed for protesting the apartheid 
government of South Africa and in 2004 led a march in Waller County 
to bring attention to a voting-rights issue; and
	WHEREAS, His distinguished legislative service and civic 
activism have been duly honored with a wide range of awards and 
commendations; cited by Who's Who in America and Who's Who of Global 
Decision Makers, Mr. Edwards has also been inducted into the 
African American Biographic Association Hall of Fame and is the 
recipient of an honorary doctorate from the University of Belize; 
and
	WHEREAS, Having assumed many roles in his life, including 
those of social activist, religious minister, business person, and 
civic leader, Al Edwards has brought a vast range of experience to 
his legislative career, and his exemplary service has reflected an 
ongoing effort to aid Texans in all walks of life and to create a 
state in which they can share in the benefits of freedom and 
prosperity; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby commend the Honorable Al 
Edwards for his notable service as a member of this legislative body 
and extend to him warmest best wishes for success and happiness in 
the future; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for Representative Edwards as an expression of high regard 
by his colleagues in the Texas House of Representatives.