H.R. No. 1296 R E S O L U T I O N WHEREAS, January 10, 2013, marked the 50th wedding anniversary of Shirley and Lester Howard, providing a fitting opportunity to reflect on their memorable journey together as husband and wife; and WHEREAS, Mr. and Mrs. Howard met at a football game in Shreveport, Louisiana, and were joined in matrimony in 1963; over the years, they have been blessed with a treasured family that includes two children, Lester D. Howard and Jacqueline Howard, as well as five grandchildren and a great-grandchild; and WHEREAS, Mr. Howard enjoyed a 34-year career with the City of Houston, retiring as a deputy assistant director of public works and engineering, and Mrs. Howard retired after 32 years as an educator for the Houston Independent School District; both are alumni of Grambling State University, and Mrs. Howard earned a master's degree in education from Texas Southern University; and WHEREAS, Respected members of their community, this devoted pair are active at Bethany Baptist Church in Houston, where he is a trustee and a deacon and she is a deaconess and a member of the mission society; Mrs. Howard is further involved in the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, in which she has a lifetime membership; and WHEREAS, The 50 years of marriage that Mr. and Mrs. Howard have shared is eloquent affirmation of the meaning of love and commitment, and their enduring union is an inspiration to all who know them; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas Legislature hereby congratulate Shirley and Lester Howard on their golden wedding anniversary and extend to them sincere best wishes for continued happiness; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Mr. and Mrs. Howard as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Dutton ______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1296 was adopted by the House on April 17, 2013, by a non-record vote. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House