H.R. No. 744 R E S O L U T I O N WHEREAS, Paula Harris was chosen to serve as president of the Houston Independent School District Board of Education in 2011; and WHEREAS, A graduate of Texas A&M University with a degree in petroleum engineering, Ms. Harris has had a distinguished 20-year career in the oil industry; she is director of community affairs for Schlumberger and the author of For Sister: The Guide for Professional Black Women and a children's book, When I Grow Up I Want to Be an Engineer; and WHEREAS, Ms. Harris has earned a number of honors for her exceptional work, including the Women of Color in Technology award and a place on the Black Engineer's "50 Who Make a Difference" and "Key Women in Energy" lists; in addition, she was appointed to the Texas Energy Planning Council and has recently been named to the board of directors for Space Center Houston, where she will chair the education subcommittee; and WHEREAS, Dedicated to giving back to her fellow residents, she has shared her time with the boards of Project Row Houses, the Buffalo Bayou Partnership, the Julia C. Hester House, the Menil Collection Development Committee, and Mental Health America of Greater Houston; and WHEREAS, Public education is an endeavor in which all Texans have a stake, and through her impressive achievements as a business and community leader, Paula Harris brings invaluable experience and insight to her new responsibilities; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas Legislature hereby congratulate Paula Harris on being elected president of the Houston Independent School District Board of Education and extend to her sincere best wishes for continued success in her important work; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Ms. Harris as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Miles ______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 744 was adopted by the House on March 17, 2011, by a non-record vote. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House