82R27305 BPG-D
By: Dukes H.C.R. No. 153
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Members of the Austin Area Urban League are visiting
the State Capitol on May 25, 2011; and
WHEREAS, Founded on August 12, 1977, the Austin Area Urban
League is affiliated with the National Urban League, a civil rights
organization that has fought discrimination for more than a
century; the Urban League has contributed immeasurably to social
progress and remains dedicated to the economic empowerment of
historically underserved residents in urban communities; and
WHEREAS, The Austin Area Urban League began operations in the
basement of Wesley United Methodist Church; from that humble
beginning, the organization has grown dramatically to meet the
needs of area residents; and
WHEREAS, In addition to job readiness training, the group's
Workforce Development program provides GED courses, job search
assistance, and office and life skills instruction; the league
works with 300 employers to help job candidates find suitable
positions, and it conducts after-school computer and technology
classes at four different Housing Authority of Austin sites; and
WHEREAS, The organization offers a first-time homebuyer's
class and awards those who complete it a $1,000 grant toward a down
payment; moreover, it performs hundreds of emergency and scheduled
home repairs annually, free of cost to low-income home owners, and
it partners with some 40 other entities, including Dell, Seton, and
the Meadows Foundation, to further its important goals; and
WHEREAS, Today, the Austin Area Urban League remains
fortunate in the continued leadership of many of its esteemed
founders, including the Reverend Freddie Dixon, who was pastor of
Wesley United Methodist Church in 1977 when the church became the
birthplace of the Urban League in Central Texas, and the Honorable
Harriett Murphy, a retired municipal court judge who was a new
attorney working to help found the league in the 1970s; also among
this number are Linda Moore Smith, the organization's first
executive director, who went on to serve the National Urban League
in New York before reprising her role in Austin, and Carolyn Holt
Goldston, a longtime advocate for racial justice and civil rights
and a lifetime member of the organization; continuing the tradition
of excellence established by these local legends are Austin native
Scotty Holman, a financial executive, who serves as the 2010 chair,
and the Honorable Jeffrey K. Richard, who was elected president and
chief executive officer in 2005 and also serves as a trustee for the
Austin Community College District; other noteworthy founders and
longtime members continue to share their wisdom and experience with
the organization and inspire the members of its newest program, the
AAUL Young Professionals; and
WHEREAS, Unwavering in its determination to improve race
relations and foster economic and social equality, the Austin Area
Urban League has created an enduring legacy, and its efforts in
behalf of education, employment readiness, wellness, and
affordable housing are greatly benefiting innumerable people and
making a lasting, positive difference in the community; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 82nd Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby honor the Austin Area Urban League for its outstanding
achievements and extend to its members sincere best wishes for
continued success; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the organization as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives and Senate.