82R6048 MMS-D
 
  By: Gallego H.R. No. 194
 
 
 
R E S O L U T I O N
         WHEREAS, The Honorable Gabrielle Giffords, United States
  congresswoman from Arizona, has forged an exemplary career in
  behalf of her constituents and this nation, and her arrival in
  Houston to begin treatment and rehabilitation at Memorial Hermann
  hospital provides a fitting opportunity to honor Ms. Giffords for
  her distinguished public service; and
         WHEREAS, Born in Tucson, where her family has lived for three
  generations, Gabrielle Giffords graduated from Scripps College in
  1993 and earned a master's degree in regional planning from Cornell
  University in 1996; after receiving her M.R.P., she studied for a
  year in Chihuahua, Mexico, on a William Fulbright Scholarship; she
  has worked in New York City on regional economic development issues
  and has also garnered experience in the private sector, having held
  the posts of president and CEO of her family's tire and automotive
  business; and
         WHEREAS, Gabrielle Giffords entered public life in 2001, when
  she joined the Arizona House of Representatives; two years later,
  at the age of 32, she became the youngest woman ever to be elected to
  the Arizona State Senate; she has represented Arizona's Eighth
  Congressional District since 2007; and
         WHEREAS, In her approach to problem solving, Ms. Giffords has
  put a premium on collaboration, seeking to ensure that all
  viewpoints are heard and that the best ideas are explored; she has
  worked tirelessly for the people of Arizona and has become a leading
  advocate for military families and veterans, immigration reform,
  and solar energy, three areas of major importance to her district
  and to the nation as a whole; and
         WHEREAS, During her tenure in Congress, this esteemed
  lawmaker has held a seat on the House Armed Services, Science and
  Technology, and Foreign Affairs Committees; she has also served as
  chair of the Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee, as vice chair of
  the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition, and as vice chair
  of the U.S.-Mexico Interparliamentary Group; and
         WHEREAS, Ms. Giffords has consistently sought to make herself
  accessible to her constituents, holding frequent events where she
  and her staff would engage with citizens one-on-one about any
  matter related to the federal government; and
         WHEREAS, Gabrielle Giffords has been married to Captain Mark
  Kelly, a navy pilot and NASA astronaut, since 2007; and
         WHEREAS, In the conscientious devotion she has brought to her
  duties as an elected representative, the energy and intelligence
  with which she has addressed the issues before this country, and the
  determination she has shown to make government responsive to the
  people, Gabrielle Giffords has embodied the highest expression of
  democracy in action, and her fight to recover from her injuries has
  inspired Americans in every part of this land; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
  Legislature hereby pay tribute to the Honorable Gabrielle Giffords
  for her outstanding public service and extend to her and her family
  sincere best wishes as she begins treatment and rehabilitation in
  the Lone Star State; and, be it further
         RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
  prepared for Ms. Giffords as an expression of high regard by the
  Texas House of Representatives.