H.R. No. 1881



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Amanda Blakely of Crandall has scored yet another 
triumph in her stellar academic career by winning the 37th annual 
Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Journalism Award in the high school 
print division; and
	WHEREAS, Sponsored by the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial and the 
National Scholastic Press Association, the awards are intended to 
encourage reporting on the disadvantaged in this country, including 
a critical analysis of attitudes, private endeavors, or public 
policies that affect their lives; and
	WHEREAS, Ms. Blakely's entry for the 2005 competition 
concerned the experiences of children placed in foster care by the 
Texas Department of Family and Protective Services; titled 
"Ms. Mary and the Big Blue House," the compelling article drew on 
in-depth interviews with three teenagers who were living in a home 
that provided them with tremendous love and support; and
	WHEREAS, The prestigious RFK memorial award is one of a host 
of accolades garnered by Ms. Blakely during her senior year; at the 
state journalism conference in April 2005, she was named Journalist 
of the Year and top feature writer in the state, and she has also 
been selected as first runner-up for the national Journalist of the 
Year title; and
	WHEREAS, In addition to winning four national awards in the 
Quill and Scroll International Writing Contest, Ms. Blakely took 
second place for feature writing in the Columbia Scholastic Press 
Association contest, first place for feature writing in a Dallas 
Morning News competition, and first and second place for news 
writing in a contest sponsored by the Texas Press Association and 
Interscholastic League Press Conference; and
	WHEREAS, After sweeping all four events at the UIL District 
12AAA journalism contest--news writing, feature writing, editorial 
writing, and headlines--this talented student enjoyed further 
success at the regional competition and has advanced to the state 
contest in feature writing and headline writing; and
	WHEREAS, Editor-in-chief of the Crandall High School Pirate 
Press, where she has worked with adviser Carol Countryman, and 
secretary of the National Honor Society, Ms. Blakely has won a Hunt 
Leadership Scholarship and plans to study 
communications/journalism at Southern Methodist University; and
	WHEREAS, Amanda Blakely is a gifted and socially engaged 
writer who has brought great credit to her school and compiled a 
record of accomplishments that promises a bright and fulfilling 
future; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature hereby warmly congratulate Amanda Blakely on her 
receipt of the 37th annual Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Journalism 
Award in the high school print division and extend to her sincere 
best wishes for continued success in all her endeavors; and, be it 
further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for Ms. Blakely as an expression of high regard by the 
Texas House of Representatives.

                                                                Brown of Kaufman

                                                  ______________________________
                                                       Speaker of the House     

	I certify that H.R. No. 1881 was adopted by the House on May 
27, 2005, by a non-record vote.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House