H.R. No. 368
 
 
 
R E S O L U T I O N
 
         WHEREAS, Proud members of the Southwest Region of National
  Black Law Students Association are gathering at the State Capitol
  on February 27, 2017; and
         WHEREAS, In 1968, the National Black Law Students Association
  was established on the campus of New York University Law School by
  Algernon Johnson Cooper in order to provide educational support,
  professional development, and community enrichment for African
  American law students; today, the NBLSA represents more than 6,000
  active members in over 200 chapters across the nation, making it one
  of the largest student-run organizations in the United States; and
         WHEREAS, At the group's 48th national convention in Baltimore
  in 2016, Traci Gibson of the University of Houston, chair of the
  NBLSA's Rocky Mountain region, proposed a new geographical
  arrangement to better reflect the organization's growth and
  development; as a result, the NBLSA is now represented by six
  regional groups, with Ms. Gibson as inaugural chair of the new
  Southwest region, which represents chapters at law schools in
  Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana; and
         WHEREAS, The SWBLSA will continue to support the mission of
  the national organization by promoting the needs and goals of black
  law students, improving the relationship of black attorneys and law
  students with the American legal system, and bringing about
  meaningful legal and political change that addresses the concerns
  of the black community; and
         WHEREAS, For nearly half a century, the members of the NBLSA
  have contributed greatly to the cause of justice in our nation by
  encouraging and supporting the success of black and minority
  attorneys, and this dynamic new regional group represents an
  exciting addition to this proud legacy; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
  Legislature hereby recognize February 27, 2017, as Southwest Region
  of National Black Law Students Association Day at the State Capitol
  and extend to its visiting members sincere best wishes for a
  meaningful and memorable visit to Austin; and, be it further
         RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
  prepared for the SWBLSA as an expression of high regard by the Texas
  House of Representatives.
 
  Dutton
 
  ______________________________
  Speaker of the House     
 
         I certify that H.R. No. 368 was adopted by the House on
  February 23, 2017, by a non-record vote.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House