H.R. No. 2346
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Jewell L. McGowen of Houston marked a very special
milestone in her life with the observance of her 80th birthday on
April 29, 2009; and
WHEREAS, The daughter of Leola and Willie McDade, the former
Jewell McDade was born in Hempstead, where she graduated from Sam
Schwartz High School; she earned a bachelor's degree in business
education from Texas Southern University and a master's degree in
counseling and guidance from Prairie View A&M University, obtained
her vocational guidance certification from Our Lady of the Lake
College, and pursued additional studies at the Perkins School of
Theology at Southern Methodist University; and
WHEREAS, Married to Ernest McGowen, Sr., for 62 years, Mrs.
McGowen is the mother of four children, Ernest McGowen, Jr., Jewell
M. Maddox, Cynthia M. Jones, and the late Larry McGowen, and with
the passing years, her close-knit family has grown to include eight
grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, In addition to raising a family, Mrs. McGowen
enjoyed a long and rewarding career with the Houston Independent
School District; a teacher of English and business courses at
Miller Junior High, she also benefited many students as a counselor
and test coordinator at Key Middle School and a career and college
advisement counselor at Michael E. DeBakey High School for Health
Professions; moreover, she has worked for the Houston Community
College System as an administrator and school/community liaison;
and
WHEREAS, The founder and chair of the Northeast Cultural Arts
Council Board of Directors, this dedicated civic leader was the
organizing president of the Houston Black American Democrats, a
charter member and vice president of the Texas Coalition of Black
Democrats, and treasurer of the state Democratic Party; among the
many other organizations she has benefited through her leadership
are the United Methodist Church, the nonprofit Julia C. Hester
House, and the Texas Board of Law Examiners; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. McGowen has received numerous well-deserved
honors through the years, including the Cinderella Award from the
Variety Club of Houston, a master teacher designation and Counselor
of the Year award from HISD, and the 2009 Living Legend Award from
Blue Triangle Multi Service; and
WHEREAS, Cherished for her wisdom, generosity, and
dedication, Jewell McGowen has enriched the lives of many people,
and her contributions continue to resonate throughout the community
she is proud to call home; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate Jewell L. McGowen on her 80th
birthday and extend to her sincere best wishes for continued
happiness and good fortune; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mrs. McGowen as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.
Turner of Harris
Dutton
Edwards
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 2346 was adopted by the House on May
25, 2009, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House