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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Proud members of the Southwest Region of National |
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Black Law Students Association are gathering at the State Capitol |
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on February 27, 2017; and |
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WHEREAS, In 1968, the National Black Law Students Association |
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was established on the campus of New York University Law School by |
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Algernon Johnson Cooper in order to provide educational support, |
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professional development, and community enrichment for African |
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American law students; today, the NBLSA represents more than 6,000 |
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active members in over 200 chapters across the nation, making it one |
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of the largest student-run organizations in the United States; and |
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WHEREAS, At the group's 48th national convention in Baltimore |
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in 2016, Traci Gibson of the University of Houston, chair of the |
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NBLSA's Rocky Mountain region, proposed a new geographical |
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arrangement to better reflect the organization's growth and |
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development; as a result, the NBLSA is now represented by six |
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regional groups, with Ms. Gibson as inaugural chair of the new |
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Southwest region, which represents chapters at law schools in |
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Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana; and |
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WHEREAS, The SWBLSA will continue to support the mission of |
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the national organization by promoting the needs and goals of black |
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law students, improving the relationship of black attorneys and law |
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students with the American legal system, and bringing about |
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meaningful legal and political change that addresses the concerns |
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of the black community; and |
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WHEREAS, For nearly half a century, the members of the NBLSA |
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have contributed greatly to the cause of justice in our nation by |
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encouraging and supporting the success of black and minority |
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attorneys, and this dynamic new regional group represents an |
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exciting addition to this proud legacy; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize February 27, 2017, as Southwest Region |
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of National Black Law Students Association Day at the State Capitol |
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and extend to its visiting members sincere best wishes for a |
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meaningful and memorable visit to Austin; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for the SWBLSA as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
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House of Representatives. |