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                                                                  H.R. No. 1410



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Since the year 2000, Will Harrell has demonstrated 
remarkable ability in leading the American Civil Liberties Union of 
Texas as its executive director, and his fifth anniversary in that 
position provides a fitting opportunity to reflect on his 
contributions to the organization and to the citizens of Texas; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Harrell spent his formative years in the Lone 
Star State, attending high school in Houston and college at The 
University of Texas at Austin and finding his initial employment in 
the field of law as a legal assistant for the Texas ACLU; he left 
Texas, however, to attend law school at the American University in 
Washington, D.C., and to travel the world fighting for social 
justice; before returning to Texas five years ago, he was busy 
monitoring elections in Bosnia, representing farm workers in 
Colorado, defending victims of human rights abuse in Guatemala, and 
serving as executive director of the National Police Accountability 
Project at the Center for Constitutional Rights in New York; and
	WHEREAS, When he arrived in Texas to direct the state 
affiliate of the ACLU, he discovered a limited budget, a meager 
membership, a staff of two, and an absence of volunteer 
infrastructure; determined to turn things around, Mr. Harrell spent 
the first year of his tenure traveling the state, meeting with 
individuals working on civil rights issues and mobilizing 
communities through such grassroots efforts as local town hall 
meetings; and
	WHEREAS, Five years later, the Texas ACLU has made 
revolutionary progress under his direction; it has supported the 
work of the legislature in important criminal justice initiatives, 
and Mr. Harrell has fostered relationships of mutual respect with 
legislators on both sides of the aisle; and
	WHEREAS, He has also enlisted dozens of talented lawyers and 
activists and forged important alliances with LULAC, the NAACP, and 
other civil rights groups to build an effective and cohesive 
coalition for criminal justice, a cause which he considers the most 
pressing issue in the state today; moreover, he has increased the 
ACLU staff to 15, attracted more than twice as many members across 
the state, and tripled the budget; and
	WHEREAS, Perhaps the key to Will Harrell's successes lies in 
his innate and passionate desire for justice and liberty for all 
citizens; he has inspired many Texans with his hard work and 
determination; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature hereby congratulate Will Harrell on his fifth 
anniversary as executive director of the American Civil Liberties 
Union of Texas and commend him for his commitment to the people of 
this state; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for Mr. Harrell as an expression of high regard by the 
Texas House of Representatives.

                                                                          Burnam

                                                  ______________________________
                                                       Speaker of the House     

	I certify that H.R. No. 1410 was adopted by the House on May 
13, 2005, by a non-record vote.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House