H.R. No. 39 R E S O L U T I O N WHEREAS, Gertrude Jack Lewis of Houston is celebrating her 100th birthday on July 17, 2011, to the great delight of her family and friends; and WHEREAS, The sixth of 13 children in a close-knit family, Mrs. Lewis was born to Irene and Louis Jack in Sorrel, Louisiana, and later grew up on Weeks Island; she assumed responsibility at an early age, helping to care for her younger brothers and sisters and working in vegetable and sugarcane fields for 20 cents per day; and WHEREAS, Gertrude and Clarence Lewis, Sr., exchanged their wedding vows on October 13, 1931, at a ceremony held in St. Mary Parish; the newlyweds subsequently moved to Houston, where they stayed with the bride's oldest brother, Willie, while they got settled; Mrs. Lewis and her husband became the proud parents of five children, Freddie, Lenard, Clarence, William, and Mary, and shared a rewarding marriage of nearly 70 years, until Mr. Lewis's passing in 2001; and WHEREAS, Today, Mrs. Lewis still resides in the Trinity Gardens neighborhood, where she and Mr. Lewis raised their family, and she is still a member of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, which she first started attending with her husband and children long ago; this beloved matriarch enjoys visits from her children, her numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, her three siblings, and many other relatives and friends; and WHEREAS, Blessed with the affection of a host of loved ones and sustained by her strong faith, Mrs. Lewis has gracefully reached the century mark and continues to enrich the lives of all who are fortunate enough to know her; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby congratulate Gertrude Jack Lewis on the occasion of her 100th birthday and extend to her sincere best wishes for continued happiness; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Mrs. Lewis as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Dutton ______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 39 was adopted by the House on June 28, 2011, by a non-record vote. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House