H.R. No. 1579 R E S O L U T I O N WHEREAS, A caring and purposeful life drew to a close with the passing of Laura Nell Oliver Curtis of Houston on April 19, 2011, at the age of 66; and WHEREAS, The former Laura Oliver was born a twin on November 12, 1944, to Lovie Oliver and Louise Marie Oliver; she grew up in Galveston, where she worked at John Sealy Hospital as a youth and graduated from Central High School; and WHEREAS, In 1963, she entered Huston-Tillotson University in Austin; she earned a bachelor's degree in secondary education, with a minor in English, in 1968 and eventually went on to obtain certification as a reading specialist from New York University; and WHEREAS, This beloved woman married her college sweetheart, William "Popsie" Curtis, also known as Mateen Aalim Baaith, and the couple became the parents of two children, William Curtis, Jr., and Tamitra Curtis; and WHEREAS, Mrs. Curtis built a successful career in education, teaching at schools in Austin, Fort Worth, New York City, and Houston and at the North Texas Job Corps Center in McKinney as well as at a number of Opportunities Industrialization Centers; she further distinguished herself as an advocate for those living with HIV/AIDS in her role as senior vice president of Over the Hill, Inc., which her husband served as president and CEO; she retired in 2003; and WHEREAS, An avid poet, Mrs. Curtis loved writing poems for her friends; moreover, she delighted in time spent in the company of her family, which, in addition to her children, included stepchildren, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; and WHEREAS, Those fortunate enough to have known Laura Curtis will remember the way she touched their lives with her generosity and devotion, and she will forever hold a treasured place in their hearts; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Laura Nell Oliver Curtis and extend sincere condolences to her many loved ones; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for her family and that when the Texas House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Laura Nell Oliver Curtis. Dutton ______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1579 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on April 27, 2011. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House