H.C.R. No. 52 



HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
	WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives and Senate are 
honored to welcome His Excellency Marc Ravalomanana, President of 
the Republic of Madagascar, and his lovely wife, Lalao, to the Texas 
State Capitol on February 8, 2005; and
	WHEREAS, He was received by the Honorable Bill White, Mayor 
of Houston, and the World Affairs Council, as well as the Texas 
Children's Medical Center during his visit to Houston on February 
7, 2005; and
	WHEREAS, He has enjoyed an official state visit with the 
Honorable Rick Perry, Governor of Texas; Roger Williams, Texas 
Secretary of State; and will also meet with the Honorable Will 
Wynne, Mayor of Austin; and
	WHEREAS, We are delighted to have as a part of the President's 
entourage the Ambassador to the United States, Dr. Rajaonarivony 
Narisoa; Chief of Staff, Mr. Henri Ranaivoson; Presidential 
Advisor, Dr. Joachim Ensslin; Special Advisor to the President, Mr. 
Olivier Andrianarisoa; the President's personal physician, Dr. 
Norotiana Hantasoa Andriantseheno; and assistants Mr. Jean-Marc 
Koumba and Miss Dina Rakoto; and
	WHEREAS, Born on December 12, 1949, President Ravalomanana is 
a self-made man from humble beginnings; he was educated by 
missionaries in his home village of Imerikasinina and began his 
professional life selling homemade yogurt on the streets of the 
country's capital city, Antananarivo; less than two years later, he 
secured a loan and purchased his first factory, and today, his 
company, TIKO Group, of which he was the president and CEO, is the 
largest non-foreign-owned company in Madagascar; and
	WHEREAS, This distinguished gentleman entered politics in 
1999, and his bold campaign to clean up the capital city earned him 
the support of the citizenry and the office of mayor; under his 
leadership, Antananarivo experienced a noticeable transformation 
to become a cleaner and more organized city; and
	WHEREAS, The Honorable Marc Ravalomanana became president of 
the Republic of Madagascar in 2002; his goals for Madagascar have 
included construction of a new infrastructure, establishment of 
efficient government operations, the fight against HIV/AIDS, 
support for private sector economic growth, and education for all; 
a staunch defender of the Malagasy language and culture, he often 
delivers his speech in this lyrical dialect although he also speaks 
French and English; and
	WHEREAS, During his trip to Texas, President Ravalomanana 
visited Abilene Christian University and the 24 Malagasy 
Presidential Scholars enrolled there who been honored through a 
highly competitive scholarship initiative funded by the government 
of Madagascar and the World Bank; the president was instrumental in 
the creation of this innovative program, which includes four years 
of paid tuition for the fortunate students; and
	WHEREAS, President Ravalomanana has proven himself a true 
leader by working tirelessly to provide a brighter future for his 
countrymen, and it is indeed a pleasure to recognize him; now, 
therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the 79th Legislature of the State of Texas 
hereby welcome Marc Ravalomanana, President of the Republic of 
Madagascar, to the Texas State Capitol and extend to him sincere 
best wishes for an enjoyable visit in the great State of Texas; and, 
be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for President Ravalomanana as an expression of high regard 
by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate.

                                                                          Hunter




______________________________              ______________________________
 
   President of the Senate                               Speaker of the House      

	I certify that H.C.R. No. 52 was adopted by the House on 
February 8, 2005, by a non-record vote.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House   

	I certify that H.C.R. No. 52 was adopted by the Senate on 
February 8, 2005, by a viva-voce vote.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                      Secretary of the Senate   



APPROVED: __________________                                                
 
                Date                                                         




 
         __________________                                              
 
              Governor