H.R. No. 2378
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Shirley Terrell Leavell has played a vital role in
her community through her service with the YWCA El Paso del Norte
Region; and
WHEREAS, The El Paso YWCA provides services to empower and
enrich the lives of women and girls in the El Paso region, and it is
celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2009; and
WHEREAS, Born in El Paso, Ms. Leavell grew up in Beverly
Hills, California, and was educated in Switzerland before returning
to her hometown; she has been involved with the YWCA, both in El
Paso and nationally, for more than 50 years; and
WHEREAS, Serving on the YWCA's board of directors in the
early 1960s, she helped raise almost $800,000 to build what is now
its Central Branch; since then, she has seen the staff grow from 13
in 1969 to more than 600, membership grow from 2,000 to more than
25,000, and the budget grow from less than $100,000 to more than $30
million; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Leavell and her husband, the builder Charles
Leavell, were instrumental in the YWCA's expansion into eastern El
Paso in the 1970s, and the Shirley Leavell Branch on Sam Snead Drive
has been named in her honor; and
WHEREAS, Dedicated volunteers play an important role in
communities across the Lone Star State, and for many years, Shirley
Leavell has served as an inspiring leader and role model in El Paso
through her work with the YWCA; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby commend Shirley Terrell Leavell for her record
of service with the El Paso YWCA and extend to her sincere best
wishes for the future; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mrs. Leavell as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.
Chavez
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 2378 was adopted by the House on May
25, 2009, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House