83R5282 JNC-F

By: Ritter H.R. No. 192

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, Members of Leadership Southeast Texas representing more than 100 Southeast Texas businesses, organizations, and governmental entities are visiting the State Capitol on January 29, 2013; and

WHEREAS, An educational nonprofit corporation serving the region that includes Chambers, Hardin, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Newton, Orange, and Tyler Counties and the Bolivar Peninsula of Galveston County, Leadership Southeast Texas was founded in 1992 to identify and motivate leaders in the area and to provide opportunities for leadership development and networking among decision makers and stakeholders, as well as to contribute to regional economic advancement; and

WHEREAS, This exemplary program boasts an impressive membership of 1,021 graduates who currently reside and work in 142 cities across Texas, 25 states, and Europe, Iraq, China, and Panama and who serve as ambassadors for Southeast Texas and the entire Lone Star State through more than 500 business affiliations; and

WHEREAS, Leadership Southeast Texas promotes a better understanding of communities in the area by identifying and studying timely issues that are significant to ongoing business development and by encouraging innovative approaches to those issues and professional interaction and communication with prominent state leaders; and

WHEREAS, In today's global society, communities are increasingly impacted by national and international economic forces, making it even more essential to stay fully informed and involved; local communities are often on the front lines of change, and input is especially valuable as citizens work to establish the foundations for future progress; by viewing opportunities and challenges on a regional and statewide basis, individual cities and counties can often more successfully address them; and

WHEREAS, The interdependence of the communities of Southeast Texas has been demonstrated by the continuing impact from Hurricanes Rita, Humberto, and Ike in 2005, 2007, and 2008; moreover, in a region whose natural and energy resources play such major roles in the national and world economies, it is even more imperative that communities appreciate how they support each other; and

WHEREAS, Recognizing that the future of the region will be determined by its young people, the group launched Youth Leadership Southeast Texas in 2011; this initiative is a call to civic action that strives to encourage the development of leadership skills in diverse student populations and to increase understanding between students from different schools and communities; and

WHEREAS, YLSET conferences have drawn more than 200 participants from 34 high schools in the nine-county region, plus a number of faculty liaisons and LSET regional business members; the daylong events have enabled students to learn important leadership skills and ended with each school's students choosing a community project that they will implement as a way to improve the quality of life in their hometowns; and

WHEREAS, For two decades, Leadership Southeast Texas Day has provided an opportunity for alumni and new members to celebrate the achievements of Southeast Texas, and it is a privilege to recognize these civic-minded men and women for their substantial contributions to the betterment of the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas Legislature hereby recognize January 29, 2013, as Leadership Southeast Texas Day at the State Capitol and extend congratulations to the members of the visiting delegation on the 20th anniversary of this outstanding organization; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for the participants in Leadership Southeast Texas as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.