H.R. No. 1554
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The year 2015 marks the 40th anniversary of the
naming of Dr. Gloria Dean Randle Scott as the first African
American president of the Girl Scouts of America, an event that
signaled a new era of progress for the national youth organization;
and
WHEREAS, Born and raised in Houston, Gloria Scott was a
member of Junior Girl Scout Troop No. 155 at Jack Yates Secondary
School, at a time when segregation was still rampant; her early
experiences in scouting helped her develop leadership skills, and
she eventually served as president of the Negro Girl Scout Senior
Planning Board in the 1950s; and
WHEREAS, After graduating from high school in 1955, Ms. Scott
pursued her studies at Indiana University, where she earned a
bachelor's and a master's degree before completing her Ph.D. in
education; while attending Indiana University, she served as a
research associate in genetics and embryology at its Institute of
Psychiatric Research; she also taught biology at Marian College
during this time, becoming the first African American instructor at
a predominately white institution in Indianapolis; later, she
served as deputy director of the Upward Bound program in Knoxville
and in several administrative and planning positions at North
Carolina A&T State University; and
WHEREAS, From 1975 to 1978, Dr. Scott led the Girl Scouts of
America as president, and throughout her tenure, she worked
diligently to further the goals of the organization and to foster
cooperation with international scouting groups; in the final year
of her presidency, the Girl Scouts adopted its iconic trefoil logo,
which features the stylized silhouettes of three girls as a symbol
of diversity; and
WHEREAS, This dynamic woman went on to assume other
administrative posts at Texas Southern University in Houston and
Clark College in Atlanta, until 1987, when she was appointed
president of Bennett College, a historically black women's college
in Greensboro, North Carolina; she retired from that office in 2001
and today resides in Corpus Christi; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Scott's pioneering work has been recognized
with a long list of accolades over the years; the recipient of six
honorary degrees, she was also conferred the Urban League Star
Award, the 2009 Star of Texas Award, and League of Women Voters
awards in 2008 and 2010; and
WHEREAS, In addition to her membership in Delta Sigma Theta
Sorority, Dr. Scott has been deeply involved in her community and
chaired the Corpus Christi Juneteenth Coalition for several years;
she serves as president of G. Randle Services, a consulting firm,
and is active in the Corpus Christi Black Chamber of Commerce; in
2005, she successfully brought a federal lawsuit to prevent the
demolition of Solomon Coles High School, and in the decade since,
she has led the school's PTA and participated extensively in
volunteer efforts benefiting the school and its students; and
WHEREAS, An inspiring role model for women and girls
everywhere, Dr. Gloria Dean Randle Scott contributed greatly to the
stature of the Girl Scouts while blazing a trail of achievement in
multiple areas of endeavor, and her remarkable service is indeed
worthy of special reflection and praise; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
Legislature hereby commemorate the 40th anniversary of the naming
of Dr. Gloria Dean Randle Scott as president of the Girl Scouts of
America and pay special tribute to Dr. Scott's admirable record of
accomplishment.
Herrero
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1554 was adopted by the House on April
16, 2015, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House