SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 1183
WHEREAS, Through the establishment of the African American
National Spelling Bee Championships, Incorporated, Robert L.
Garner, Jr., is making a difference in the lives of many young
people in the Houston area; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Garner organized the Houston Inaugural
Spelling Bee to encourage African American youth to learn about
the origin and spelling of words, to increase their vocabularies,
and to develop confidence; the event took place on May 14, 2011,
at Jack Yates Senior High School, with middle school students
from a number of institutions in the area participating;
seventh-graders Mary Bello, Ashley Williams, and Niaha Dyson
from Girls and Boys Prep Academy in Houston earned first-,
second-, and third-place honors; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Garner, a successful businessman, is a
community advisor for Precinct 2 in Fort Bend County and also
volunteers his time with the Houston Parks and Recreation
Department; as a student he struggled with reading, but found
that by focusing on his spelling, he was able to improve both his
comprehension and his self-assurance; and
WHEREAS, Seeking to move today's youth from the video store
to the bookstore, this outstanding Texan has demonstrated his
praiseworthy support of African American students in his
community, and his efforts to reach and inspire young people are
truly deserving of commendation; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 82nd
Legislature, hereby commend Robert L. Garner, Jr., founder of the
African American National Spelling Bee Championships,
Incorporated, and extend to him sincere best wishes for the
future; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be
prepared for Mr. Garner as an expression of high regard from the
Texas Senate.
Ellis
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on May 26, 2011.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate