SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 345

WHEREAS, The Greater Houston Women's Chamber of Commerce has served as a valuable resource for the community since its inception in December 2007; and

WHEREAS, Established to advance and empower women through avenues of leadership, education, advocacy, and mentoring, the chamber is a nonprofit organization with more than 325 member businesses; and

WHEREAS, The chamber offers a variety of commendable programs, such as Smart Start, which partners with financial institutions, investors, and the community to provide training, support, and micro-loans to help women entrepreneurs succeed in their endeavors; other programs include the Thought Leaders Institute, which offers classes by top female executives on developing personal leadership skills, and the Houston on Board initiative, which serves as a resource for corporate nominating committees and executive search firms seeking qualified applicants; and

WHEREAS, The Greater Houston Women's Chamber of Commerce has reached hundreds of women through its Health Series luncheons and thousands more through its "Health Series" column in the Houston Chronicle, where the chamber promotes preventive care as a key to combatting worker absenteeism and the associated costs; and

WHEREAS, The chamber is further dedicated to encouraging the leaders of tomorrow, and its education committee cooperates with the Houston Independent School District to provide young women job shadowing opportunities, hands-on mentoring, and scholarships; in addition, the chamber's STEM Town USA after-school program works with at-risk third grade girls to stimulate their interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics professions and to improve their grades and graduation rates; and

WHEREAS, Working to ensure the upward mobility of area women, the Greater Houston Women's Chamber of Commerce is helping to make the region an even better place in which to live and work; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 83rd Legislature, hereby honor the Greater Houston Women's Chamber of Commerce for its outstanding contributions and extend to all those involved with the organization sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for the chamber as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate. Huffman

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on March 6, 2013.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate