H.R. No. 206
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Gene Olafsen was honored at the second annual
Exemplary Women of Irving High Tea event on November 4, 2012, in
tribute to her dedicated efforts in behalf of her community; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Olafsen moved to Irving in 1968 with her four
children and her first husband, Edward Demonbreun, who passed away
in 1982; during her early years in the city, she volunteered with
the Irving Little Theatre; for the company's production of Mame,
she personally sewed 30 costumes, which represented some of the
first stitches in what would become a long tapestry of support for
the arts; and
WHEREAS, After a successful career at American Airlines,
Mrs. Olafsen retired in 1987, which allowed her additional time to
devote to cultural activities; she became a charter member of the
Irving Community Theatre Guild in 1989, and she has provided
thoughtful guidance to the organization in the capacities of vice
president, treasurer, board member, and co-chair of elegance and
entertainment, as well as in her current role as president;
moreover, she played a vital part in planning the shows Encore I,
Encore II, and An Evening with Louise Mandrell, and she has thrice
served as co-chair of the Mardi Gras Party, an event for which she
and her second husband, William Olafsen, were selected as king and
queen in 2008; in recognition of her work, the guild honored her
with its Star Award in 2004; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Olafsen's enthusiasm and determination have
also been of great assistance to the Irving Symphony League; she
served with that group from 1990 until 2009 and was co-chair for
three ISL balls; this gifted organizer oversaw registration for the
2002 conference of the Texas Association for Symphony Orchestras,
just one of many sterling contributions that garnered her the
league's Distinguished Service Award; for many of these projects,
as well as for the events she arranged for the Irving Community
Theatre Guild, she received vital help from Mr. Olafsen, her
daughters Donna and Denise, and her son-in-law John Femrite; and
WHEREAS, Imbued with boundless community spirit, Mrs.
Olafsen has shared her time and talents with the Lyric Stage League,
serving on the board of directors and the annual fund-raising
committee; in addition, she has co-chaired two Canalfest galas and
has aided the Irving Cares Christmas charity initiative; other
groups that have benefited from her membership include the Irving
Hospital Foundation, the Irving Heritage Society, the Las Colinas
Women's Association, and Friends of the Irving Public Library; her
myriad endeavors have earned her the respect and appreciation of
countless people, and she was the recipient of the High Spirited
Citizen Award from the Irving Convention and Visitors Bureau in
August 2006; and
WHEREAS, Over the years, Gene Olafsen has been a tireless
champion for the theater and musical arts and numerous other worthy
causes, and she may take justifiable pride in the many ways that she
has helped enhance the quality of life in the Irving area; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate Gene Olafsen on her selection as
one of the Exemplary Women of Irving 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 Mrs. Olafsen as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.
Harper-Brown
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 206 was adopted by the House on
February 18, 2013, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House