H.R. No. 621
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The Clinton Global Initiative, founded in 2005 by
former president Bill Clinton, is changing millions of lives for
the better; and
WHEREAS, Established as a forum by which to turn ideas into
action, CGI brings together former and current heads of state,
industry executives, scholars, nonprofit directors,
philanthropists, and Nobel Peace Prize winners to devise practical
solutions to global issues; members attend annual meetings where
they develop specific and measurable commitments to action that
focus on improving education, the environment, governance,
religious tolerance, health, or economic stability; after making a
commitment, members report to CGI on their progress made over time;
and
WHEREAS, In less than five years, CGI members have made
nearly 1,200 commitments valued at $46 billion; their efforts have
helped cut the equivalent of 40 million metric tons of carbon
dioxide emissions, targeted 34 million people for treatment of
neglected tropical diseases, addressed malnutrition for more than
42 million children, and funded more than 270 microfinance
institutions; and
WHEREAS, CGI was expanded in 2007 to include the Clinton
Global Initiative University, which engages the next generation of
leaders, as well as university officials, in solving issues in five
focus areas: education, energy and climate change, global health,
peace and human rights, and poverty alleviation; students apply to
attend the CGI U annual meeting and, as a prerequisite to attending,
they develop their own commitments to action; throughout the year,
they are invited to join the CGI U campus representative network to
support local and regional commitments; the second CGI U Meeting
was held at The University of Texas at Austin on February 13-15,
2009; and
WHEREAS, In another recent expansion of the initiative, CGI
Asia brings together distinguished leaders from corporations,
governments, and nongovernmental organizations to address
contemporary issues through commitments to action; the first CGI
Asia Meeting took place in Hong Kong in December 2008; and
WHEREAS, Bill Clinton's interest in public service dates back
to his involvement in Boys Nation as a youth; after completing his
education, including studying as a Rhodes scholar at Oxford
University and earning a law degree from Yale University, he
returned to his home state of Arkansas to pursue elected office; he
served as Arkansas attorney general for two years before being
elected to the first of five terms as governor; by 1991, when he
announced his candidacy for president, he had developed a
reputation as one of the leading reform governors in the Democratic
Party; and
WHEREAS, On January 20, 1993, Bill Clinton became the 42nd
president of the United States and went on to lead the country
though an exceptional period of peace and economic well-being; his
legacy includes eliminating the federal deficit, establishing the
North American Free Trade Agreement, and successfully dispatching a
peace-keeping mission to Bosnia; since leaving the White House, he
has worked to make a positive difference in the world through the
William J. Clinton Foundation, of which CGI is one component; the
foundation's other programs include Alliance for a Healthier
Generation, Clinton Climate Initiative, Clinton Economic
Opportunity Initiative, Clinton Giustra Sustainable Growth
Initiative, Clinton HIV/AIDS Initiative, and Clinton Hunter
Development Initiative; and
WHEREAS, Former president Bill Clinton has inspired
countless people with his dedication to humanitarian causes, and
the Clinton Global Initiative is just one example of his continuing
effort to act in behalf of the global community; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby honor the Clinton Global Initiative for its
contributions to people the world over and commend former president
Bill Clinton for his outstanding endeavors to confront the vital
issues of our day; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the Clinton Global Initiative as an expression of high
regard by the Texas House of Representatives.
Raymond
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 621 was adopted by the House on March
5, 2009, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House