SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 481

WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas takes great pleasure in joining the delegation of Leadership Southeast Texas members in designating March 23, 2009, as Leadership Southeast Texas Day at the State Capitol; and

WHEREAS, Leadership Southeast Texas represents 120 Southeast Texas businesses, organizations, and governmental entities; the program is the result of a partnership among the counties of Southeast Texas and serves the counties of Chambers, Hardin, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Newton, Orange, and Tyler and the Bolivar Peninsula of Galveston County; and

WHEREAS, Leadership Southeast Texas is an educational program that was founded in 1992 and is designed to identify and motivate leaders in the Southeast Texas region and to provide opportunities for leadership development while contributing to regional economic advancement; and

WHEREAS, Leadership Southeast Texas is an exemplary program that boasts of an impressive membership of 770 graduates who currently reside and work in 87 cities in Texas, in 23 states of the continental United States, in Europe, and in Iraq, China, and Panama; these members continue to serve as ambassadors for Southeast Texas and the entire Lone Star State; and

WHEREAS, Leadership Southeast Texas promotes a better understanding of Southeast Texas by identifying and studying timely issues that affect ongoing area business development and by encouraging innovative approaches to these issues as well as professional interaction and communication with our state's prominent leaders; and

WHEREAS, In today's globalized society, communities are increasingly affected by national and international forces, making it even more essential that citizens stay fully informed and be actively involved; local communities are often on the front lines of change, but events and needs are often too broad to be addressed by one city or county alone; opportunities and challenges must be viewed on a regional and statewide basis if there is to be progress; and

WHEREAS, In light of the continuing impact of Hurricane Rita in 2005 and Hurricane Humberto in 2006 and, most recently Hurricane Ike's catastrophic results in 2007, in order for the Southeast Texas of the future to continue to grow and thrive, it is imperative that its communities appreciate how they support each other and succeed together as a region; and

WHEREAS, Leadership Southeast Texas Day in Austin provides an opportunity for alumni and new graduates to gather at the Capitol to celebrate the achievements of Southeast Texas; these civic-minded men and women are truly worthy of commendation for their substantial contributions to the betterment of the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 81st Legislature, hereby proclaim March 23, 2009, Leadership Southeast Texas Day at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation best wishes for a productive and celebratory day and for continued success in their endeavors; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for the participants in Leadership Southeast Texas as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate.

Williams, Huffman, Nichols

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on March 23, 2009.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate

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Member, Texas Senate

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Member, Texas Senate