79R1004 JNC-D

By:  McClendon                                                    H.R. No. 26 



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, James Lindsey Blair of San Antonio has earned the 
Wofford College Alumni Distinguished Service Award, becoming the 
first African American to be so honored in the 50-year history of 
the program; and
	WHEREAS, The Distinguished Service Award is presented to 
graduates of Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina, who 
have distinguished themselves in their professional careers and in 
service to humanity that reflects honorably on both the recipient 
and the school; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Blair earned a bachelor's degree from Wofford 
College, where he was a star player on the Wofford Terrier 
basketball team; his skills on the court won him a host of athletic 
awards and accolades, including the retirement of his jersey and 
induction into Wofford's Athletic Hall of Fame in 1994; he went on 
to play professional basketball in the Philipines before starting 
his business career; and
	WHEREAS, This esteemed gentleman is the former executive 
director of Caring Helps Another Make Progress, Inc. (CHAMP), a 
nonprofit organization designed to help the at-risk inner-city 
young people of his hometown, Birmingham, Alabama; today, he 
continues to promote educational opportunities and enrichment 
programs for children as the executive director of Miller Child 
Development Center, Inc., in San Antonio; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Blair has been duly recognized for his many 
contributions, earning San Antonio's 40 Under 40 Rising Stars award 
and the Omega Psi Fraternity, Inc./Psi Alpha Chapter Educator of 
the Year Award; and
	WHEREAS, A man of strong faith, Mr. Blair is an ordained 
deacon, president of the men's usher board, and a member of several 
committees at Second Baptist Church; in all of his endeavors, he 
enjoys the support of his wife, Shawana, and his children, Telica, 
Shamia, Clayton, Lindsey, and Jasmine; and
	WHEREAS, Believing that all children should have the 
opportunity to fulfill their potential, James Blair has devoted 
much of his time and talents to enriching the lives of disadvantaged 
youth, and his dedication to the development and guidance of young 
people is deserving of the admiration and gratitude of every Texan; 
now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature hereby congratulate James Lindsey Blair on earning the 
Wofford College Alumni Distinguished Service Award and extend to 
him sincere best wishes for continued success and happiness; and, 
be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for Mr. Blair as an expression of high regard by the Texas 
House of Representatives.