H.R. No. 2610
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Rebecca Powers, founder of Impact Austin, retired as
executive director of the noteworthy philanthropic organization in
January 2011; and
WHEREAS, In 2003, Ms. Powers established Impact Austin for
women seeking to transform lives in the community through targeted,
lifelong giving; within six months, she had recruited 126 women to
join the organization, and the membership has since grown to more
than 500; over the past eight years, Impact Austin has awarded over
$3 million to worthy causes in its five focus areas: culture,
environment, family, education, and health and wellness; Ms. Powers
has also worked to engage the next generation of women in
philanthropy through Impact Austin's youth initiative, Girls
Giving Grants; formed in 2005 for students in grades 8-12, it has
awarded more than $25,000 to community groups; and
WHEREAS, A native of Louisville, Kentucky, Ms. Powers earned
her bachelor's degree in business administration at the University
of Richmond in Virginia; she was employed as a sales representative
for IBM for 14 years before settling in Austin with her husband;
while her two children were in school, she was active in the PTA and
served as president for several years, and she cofounded a women's
Bible study group; she has also served on the boards of Trinity
Center and the Rotary Club of Austin and is a graduate of Leadership
Austin; currently, she serves on the national board of the Jeremiah
Program and the alumni board of the University of Richmond; the
recipient of a Five Who Care Community Service Award from KVUE-TV,
she received a prestigious Women of Distinction award from the Girl
Scouts of Central Texas in 2010 and was selected by Concordia
University as its 2011 Excellence in Leadership Gala honoree; and
WHEREAS, Although she has handed over day-to-day
responsibilities for Impact Austin, Rebecca Powers continues to
share her wisdom and experience with the organization, and she is
providing guidance to groups seeking to replicate the Impact Austin
model in other communities around the country; her visionary
leadership has made a lasting, positive difference in the lives of
countless Austin residents, and as she embarks on this next
exciting chapter in her life, it is indeed fitting to honor her for
her remarkable contributions; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby commend Rebecca Powers for her many exceptional
accomplishments as founder and executive director of Impact Austin
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. Powers as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.
Strama
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 2610 was adopted by the House on May
30, 2011, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House