H.R. No. 2772 R E S O L U T I O N WHEREAS, Maria Cristina Chirolla, Consul General of Colombia, deserves the gratitude of all Texans for her tenacious efforts to battle the drug cartels in her native Colombia and for her efforts to strengthen the ties between her country and the Lone Star State; and WHEREAS, Ms. Chirolla holds both a law degree and a master's degree in international relations from the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Bogot; and WHEREAS, This brave crusader against the plague of illicit drugs formerly worked as the rehabilitation coordinator for the mayor of Bogot, helping women who had become prostitutes, many of whom were also addicted to drugs; and WHEREAS, Ms. Chirolla went on to become head of antidrug operations for the office of the Colombian attorney general, in which capacity she focused on attacking the money-laundering activities of the drug lords; despite repeated threats against her life, Ms. Chirolla oversaw the confiscation of lavish homes and other property belonging to drug criminals, seizing assets valued at some 3 billion pesos, in addition to ordering military raids on drug laboratories; and WHEREAS, Now serving as Colombia's consul general in Houston, she brings to her new responsibilities a profound knowledge of the complex issues surrounding the illegal drug trade, a deep passion for justice, and an uncompromising integrity, and it is indeed a privilege to pay tribute to her remarkable courage and her lifetime of public service; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas Legislature hereby commend the Honorable Maria Cristina Chirolla, Consul General of Colombia, for her bravery and her achievements and extend to her sincere best wishes for continued success in all her endeavors; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Ms. Chirolla as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Pea ______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 2772 was adopted by the House on May 31, 2009, by a non-record vote. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House