83R27285 JWI-D
By: Miles H.R. No. 1994
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Labor union rights advocate and dedicated civic
leader John W. Bland of Houston has made a lasting and positive
difference in Texas and beyond; and
WHEREAS, A native of San Augustine, John Bland was born on
March 20, 1940; he graduated from Phillis Wheatley High School in
Houston and attended Texas Southern University, where he studied
business education; on March 4, 1960, while a student at TSU,
Mr. Bland took part in the first sit-in to be staged in Houston, and
he soon became a founding member of the Progressive Youth
Association, which was instrumental in securing the integration of
public accommodations in the Bayou City; during his tenure with the
PYA, Mr. Bland also campaigned for the hiring of African Americans
as clerks and salespeople at major retail stores, such as Foley's,
Walgreens, and J. C. Penney; and
WHEREAS, After graduating from college, Mr. Bland joined
HouTran, now known as Metro, as a bus operator and became active in
Transport Workers Union of America Local 260, which he served as
steward, vice president, secretary-treasurer, international
organizer, and representative; passionate about protecting the
rights of workers, Mr. Bland has organized transportation
employees in the Houston, Aldine, North Forest, Dayton, Lufkin,
Humble, Conroe, and Spring Independent School Districts, as well as
in the El Paso ISD and in several West Texas school districts; he
currently serves on the national TWU Transit Division staff as an
international vice president and as deputy director; in addition,
he serves as Texas vice president of the A. Philip Randolph
Institute, as vice president of the Texas State AFL-CIO, and as
president of the Houston chapter of the Coalition of Black Trade
Unionists; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Bland has long played an active role in civic
affairs as well; a precinct judge for more than 30 years, he has
held a seat on the Houston Police Department Citizen Review
Committee, and he currently serves as vice president of the
Summerwood Homeowners Association board; he also gives generously
of his time and talents to Abundant Faith Baptist Church, where he
is the administrator, chair of trustees, and a deacon; and
WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Mr. Bland has enjoyed the love
and support of his wife of 50 years, Betty Davis Bland; they are the
proud parents of two daughters, Dr. Debbie Bland Nicholson and
Fayetta Bland, and they have been delighted to welcome into their
family their grandchild, Jordan Nicholson; and
WHEREAS, John Bland has devoted his life to the pursuit of
social and economic justice, and he is indeed deserving of
recognition for his spirited, unflagging efforts in behalf of his
fellow citizens; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas
Legislature hereby honor John W. Bland for his outstanding
contributions as a labor advocate, civil rights champion, and
engaged citizen 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. Bland as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.