81R31437 BPG-D
By: Eiland H.R. No. 2401
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Allison McMullen of Galveston has been named an
Unsung Hero by the Galveston County Daily News; and
WHEREAS, Each year, the newspaper asks its readers to
nominate people they know who have served the community quietly and
selflessly; those selected as Unsung Heroes are honored in the
special Profiles edition alongside the Citizen of the Year, and in
2009, the paper chose to recognize nine residents who helped others
through the upheaval in the wake of Hurricane Ike; and
WHEREAS, Allison McMullen volunteers with the Whiskerville
Animal Sanctuary in Texas City and fosters animals waiting for a
permanent home; when Hurricane Ike bore down on Galveston County,
she aided the shelter's efforts by evacuating with six of its
kittens and one of its dogs, as well as her own three cats; and
WHEREAS, A doctoral student in the field of infectious
diseases, Ms. McMullen moved to Galveston to begin her studies at
The University of Texas Medical Branch; she first visited
Whiskerville to adopt a kitten and soon began volunteering at the
no-kill shelter, helping to care for the animals and finding them
families; during the Hurricane Rita evacuation, she took
responsibility for moving four rescued kittens out of danger, and
when she married her husband, Joe, in 2008, the couple asked wedding
guests for donations to Whiskerville in lieu of gifts; and
WHEREAS, Damage from Hurricane Ike and vandalism caused
Whiskerville to close to the public for a time, but Ms. McMullen
remained a faithful volunteer and advocate; the shelter is now able
to hold limited hours for adoptions and Ms. McMullen juggles the
responsibilities of her classwork, research, and graduate
assistantship in order to work at the shelter at least once a week,
assisting in every way she can, from nurturing animals to answering
phones; moreover, since beginning her association with the shelter,
she has fostered three cats, two dozen kittens, and a number of
dogs; and
WHEREAS, Hurricane Ike left countless pets homeless and in
need of aid, making the endeavors of organizations like
Whiskerville Animal Sanctuary more vital than ever; through her
compassion for vulnerable creatures and commitment to their
well-being, Allison McMullen has greatly benefited the shelter and
made a positive difference in Galveston County; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate Allison McMullen on being named an
Unsung Hero by the Galveston County Daily News 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 Ms. McMullen as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.