By: Farrar H.R. No. 1668

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, The passing of community leader Dr. Maconda Brown O'Connor of Houston on May 19, 2012, brought a profound loss to her family, her wide circle of friends, and countless Texans whose lives she touched; and

WHEREAS, A native of the Bayou City, the former Maconda Brown was born on May 4, 1930, to George and Alice Brown; she attended Pine Manor College, and after raising her four children, she returned to school at the age of 51; and

WHEREAS, Dr. O'Connor graduated from the University of St. Thomas and went on to earn a master's degree from Smith College, where she continued her studies and completed her doctorate in 1998, at the age of 68; determined to make a positive difference, she pursued a career in social work; and

WHEREAS, Dr. O'Connor believed that all children deserve second chances, and, in an effort to reach those most in need, she set up office in a broom closet in one of Houston's toughest juvenile facilities; a licensed advanced clinical practitioner, she also maintained a small private practice to offer therapeutic services to underprivileged families; and

WHEREAS, Outside of her profession, Dr. O'Connor helped countless area young people as cofounder of Children at Risk, the Houston A+ Challenge, and the Greater Houston Collaborative for Children, which provided early education to nearly 84,000 participants; she further gave back through her contributions to Harris County Protective Services, El Hogar de Ninos, the Child Abuse Prevention Network, the Mental Health Association of Houston and Harris County, and the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department; and

WHEREAS, Dr. O'Connor demonstrated a commitment to the greater community as well, sharing her time as a member of the boards of the Discovery Green Conservancy, the Brookings Institution, the American Leadership Forum, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, The Rice Center for Education, the University of Houston-Downtown, and the Houston Area Women's Center; in her work as both president and chair of one of Houston's most active charities, the Brown Foundation, her dedication to helping people in need was legendary; she also supported the Democratic Party and Emily's List; and

WHEREAS, This loving matriarch shared the richness of her life with a family that included four children, George, Thomas, Nancy, and John, nine grandchildren, Ryan, Kelly, Maconda, Nancy, Andrew, Ralph, Rebecca, Ian, and Charlie, and a great-granddaughter, Louisa O'Connor; and

WHEREAS, Unparalleled in her advocacy and activism, Maconda O'Connor inspired hope while showing many young Texans the path to a brighter future, and her legacy will continue to resonate in the lives of those she touched for years to come; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Dr. Maconda Brown O'Connor and extend deepest sympathy to the members of her family: to her children, George O'Connor, Thomas O'Connor, Nancy Abendshein, and John O'Connor, and their spouses, Lynn O'Connor, Barbie O'Connor, Mark Abendshein, and Sarah O'Connor; to her nine grandchildren, Ryan O'Connor and his wife, Amy, Kelly O'Connor, Maconda Abinader and her husband, Sacha, Nancy O'Connor, Andrew Abendshein, Ralph Abendshein, Rebecca O'Connor, Ian O'Connor, and Charlie O'Connor; to her great-granddaughters, Louisa and Georgia O'Connor; to her siblings, Nancy Brown Negley, Louisa S. Sarofim, and Mike Stude; and to her other relatives and many friends; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for her family and that when the Texas House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Dr. Maconda Brown O'Connor.