H.R. No. 867
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Bessie F. Chisum of Beaumont has served her
community for more than three decades, and it is indeed a pleasure
to recognize her for her outstanding civic contributions; and
WHEREAS, A native of the Mississippi Delta, Bessie Chisum
earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Mississippi and a
master's degree from Louisiana State University; she went on to
teach Spanish, speech, and English in her home state, and she later
worked in the health insurance industry; in 1976, she and her
husband, Stewart, relocated to Beaumont, where she launched Chisum
Resource Management, a consulting firm specializing in leadership
development, strategic planning, and human resources; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Chisum began working with Leadership Southeast
Texas in 1993 as a program consultant, and her devotion and hard
work have benefited the nonprofit organization in many ways;
currently serving as its executive director, she brings together
more than 50 leaders from throughout Southeast Texas every year to
advance the program's goals of educating its participants on the
complex issues facing the area, addressing economic development,
and fostering regional unity; a graduate of Leadership Beaumont and
Leadership Texas, Mrs. Chisum has also helped create an active
alumni organization, and she instituted Leadership Southeast Texas
Day at the State Capitol; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Chisum has further contributed to numerous
community organizations, serving on the boards of the Beaumont
Public Schools Foundation, the Beaumont Community Development
Block Grant Citizens Advisory Committee, the local chapter of the
Texas Association of Business, Junior Achievement of Southeast
Texas, the Edison Museum, and the Julie Rogers "Gift of Life"
program; in addition, Mrs. Chisum is a former president of Beaumont
Main Street, the Beaumont Historical Landmark Commission, the Art
Museum of Southeast Texas, and the Association of Texas Leadership
Programs; she was board chair of the Beaumont Chamber of Commerce
and has received such accolades from the group as the Athena Award
and the Volunteer of the Year designation; she is also an active
member of the Rotary Club of Beaumont and a Paul Harris fellow; and
WHEREAS, A distinguished civic leader, Bessie Chisum has
garnered the lasting respect and admiration of her fellow citizens,
and she may indeed reflect with great pride on the positive impact
she has had on her community; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby honor Bessie F. Chisum for her dedicated public
service and extend to her sincere best wishes for continued success
and happiness; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mrs. Chisum as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.
Hamilton
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 867 was adopted by the House on March
23, 2009, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House