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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The inaugural Rosa Walker Award for Leadership event |
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is being held in Austin on May 18, 2009, and this occasion |
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represents an ideal opportunity to honor Mrs. Walker for her |
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outstanding efforts in behalf of working Texans over the course of |
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more than four decades; and |
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WHEREAS, A native of Hemphill, Mrs. Walker graduated from |
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Pineland High School and went to work for Southwestern Bell; her |
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membership in the Communication Workers of America sparked her |
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interest in organizing, and after serving as a commercial job |
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steward, she joined the executive board of her union; and |
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WHEREAS, The labor movement in the Lone Star State gained a |
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dedicated champion when Mrs. Walker accepted a full-time position |
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as an organizer for the Industrial Union Department of the AFL-CIO; |
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she went on to serve with the Harris County AFL-CIO until 1965, when |
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she began a remarkable 38-year career with the Texas AFL-CIO; and |
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WHEREAS, Deeply committed to the needs of workers, |
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Mrs. Walker served in a wide variety of capacities while holding |
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the titles of director of Community Services/Volunteers and Women's |
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Activities director; she also oversaw disaster relief operations, |
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fought for legislation to benefit working men and women, and |
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directed voter registration and get-out-the-vote drives; and |
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WHEREAS, This caring citizen was a founder of the Texas |
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Consumer Association and also shared her time and expertise as vice |
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president of the Texas Coalition of Labor Union Women and as a |
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member of the Democratic National Committee, the Texas Judicial |
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Conduct Commission, and the Texas Commission on the Status of |
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Women; moreover, she participated in the democratic process and |
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strove to benefit workers through her efforts in behalf of local, |
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state, and national political campaigns; she has been supported in |
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her tireless endeavors by her husband, Boyce Breedlove, and her |
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daughter, Debbie; and |
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WHEREAS, Throughout her professional life, Rosa Walker has |
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set a sterling example of civic engagement, and it is indeed fitting |
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to honor her inspirational role and lasting achievements with a |
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prestigious award bearing her name; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas |
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Legislature hereby commend Mrs. Walker for her contributions to the |
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State of Texas and commemorate the Rosa Walker Award for Leadership |
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inaugural event; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Mrs. Walker as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |