H.R. No. 2401
 
 
 
R E S O L U T I O N
         WHEREAS, Allison McMullen of Galveston has been named an
  Unsung Hero by the Galveston County Daily News; and
         WHEREAS, Each year, the newspaper asks its readers to
  nominate people they know who have served the community quietly and
  selflessly; those selected as Unsung Heroes are honored in the
  special Profiles edition alongside the Citizen of the Year, and in
  2009, the paper chose to recognize nine residents who helped others
  through the upheaval in the wake of Hurricane Ike; and
         WHEREAS, Allison McMullen volunteers with the Whiskerville
  Animal Sanctuary in Texas City and fosters animals waiting for a
  permanent home; when Hurricane Ike bore down on Galveston County,
  she aided the shelter's efforts by evacuating with six of its
  kittens and one of its dogs, as well as her own three cats; and
         WHEREAS, A doctoral student in the field of infectious
  diseases, Ms. McMullen moved to Galveston to begin her studies at
  The University of Texas Medical Branch; she first visited
  Whiskerville to adopt a kitten and soon began volunteering at the
  no-kill shelter, helping to care for the animals and finding them
  families; during the Hurricane Rita evacuation, she took
  responsibility for moving four rescued kittens out of danger, and
  when she married her husband, Joe, in 2008, the couple asked wedding
  guests for donations to Whiskerville in lieu of gifts; and
         WHEREAS, Damage from Hurricane Ike and vandalism caused
  Whiskerville to close to the public for a time, but Ms. McMullen
  remained a faithful volunteer and advocate; the shelter is now able
  to hold limited hours for adoptions and Ms. McMullen juggles the
  responsibilities of her classwork, research, and graduate
  assistantship in order to work at the shelter at least once a week,
  assisting in every way she can, from nurturing animals to answering
  phones; moreover, since beginning her association with the shelter,
  she has fostered three cats, two dozen kittens, and a number of
  dogs; and
         WHEREAS, Hurricane Ike left countless pets homeless and in
  need of aid, making the endeavors of organizations like
  Whiskerville Animal Sanctuary more vital than ever; through her
  compassion for vulnerable creatures and commitment to their
  well-being, Allison McMullen has greatly benefited the shelter and
  made a positive difference in Galveston County; now, therefore, be
  it
         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
  Legislature hereby congratulate Allison McMullen on being named an
  Unsung Hero by the Galveston County Daily News and extend to her
  sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further
         RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
  prepared for Ms. McMullen as an expression of high regard by the
  Texas House of Representatives.
 
  Eiland
 
  ______________________________
  Speaker of the House     
 
         I certify that H.R. No. 2401 was adopted by the House on May
  28, 2009, by a non-record vote.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House