SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 218


In Memory

of

Dr. Wolde-Michael Akalou


	WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins the citizens
of Houston in mourning the loss of Dr. Wolde-Michael Akalou, who 
died recently at the age of 67; and

	WHEREAS, Wolde-Michael was born in Adaa, Showa, Ethiopia, 
in September of 1937; the family moved to Addis Ababa in order 
for Wolde-Michael and his older brother to attend school; and

	WHEREAS, Wolde-Michael excelled in his studies and won 
numerous awards and was one of only two students in his class who 
gained admission to the University College of Addis Ababa; and

	WHEREAS, The government of Ethiopia presented 
Wolde-Michael with a scholarship to attend graduate school in 
the United States, and he studied geography at the University of 
California at Los Angeles; he returned to Ethiopia and joined the 
faculty at Haile Sellasie I University as a geography instructor; 
and

	WHEREAS, After three years, Wolde-Michael returned to UCLA 
and completed a doctoral program; rejoining the faculty at Haile 
Sellasie I University in Ethiopia as an assistant professor, he 
rose to the position of acting vice president of academic 
affairs; and

	WHEREAS, In 1974, Dr. Akalou returned to the United States, 
where he taught at the University of Illinois in Chicago for a 
year and a half before joining the faculty of Texas Southern 
University; he served as chair of the Department of History and 
Geography at Texas Southern University from 1988 to 1994, and he 
recently became director of the Mickey Leland Center on World 
Hunger and Peace; and

	WHEREAS, A highly valued and respected educator, 
Dr. Wolde-Michael Akalou earned the respect of his friends, 
family, and colleagues and was admired for his wisdom, his 
patience, and his visionary leadership; he loved life and lived
it with grace and dignity; and

	WHEREAS, While a student at University College, he met his
future wife, Anketse, and the couple enjoyed a long and happy 
union; he was a devoted husband and father, and he leaves behind 
memories that will be treasured forever by all who knew him; now, 
therefore, be it

	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
79th Legislature, hereby honor and commemorate the life of 


Dr. Wolde-Michael Akalou and extend sincere condolences to his 
bereaved family:  his wife, Anketse; and his sons, Daniel and 
Yared; and, be it further

	RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared 
for his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the 
Texas Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns this day, 
it do so in memory of Dr. Wolde-Michael Akalou.
                                                                           Ellis




________________________________ 
    President of the Senate
 
    I hereby certify that the 
above Resolution was adopted by 
the Senate on February 22, 2005, 
by a rising vote.



________________________________ 
    Secretary of the Senate



________________________________ 
     Member, Texas Senate