SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 852
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to
recognize the Mary McLeod Bethune Day Nursery, Incorporated,
which is celebrating 75 years of service in 2017; and
WHEREAS, The nursery was founded by a group of concerned
citizens in Corpus Christi in 1942 and has provided excellent day
care for children throughout its history; and
WHEREAS, The need for such a facility was recognized by
Mrs. Bernice Leonard and the Reverend B. E. Joshua, who met late in
1941 with other interested parents to discuss establishing a day care,
having learned that more than 200 children in the city were being
cared for by older brothers and sisters who were unable to attend
school because their parents were working away from the home; and
WHEREAS, A small frame house was purchased and cleaned by
volunteers, and the center was named for Mary McLeod Bethune, a
black educator who founded Bethune-Cookman College, helped form
the National Council of Negro Women, and served as a coordinator
for Negro Youth of America and as an advisor to three presidents; and
WHEREAS, Mary McLeod Bethune Day Nursery was incorporated
on February 9, 1942; with donations of money, food, and milk from
churches, clubs, and concerned citizens, volunteers began
helping to care for the children; and
WHEREAS, As enrollment increased, additional funds became
necessary, and in January of 1943, Bethune Day Nursery became one
of the first participating agencies of the Community Chest; the
Texas Department of Welfare granted additional funding in 1953
for the 64 children ranging in age from two to six years; and
WHEREAS, Over the years, and through the generosity of
numerous individuals, foundations, corporations, civic
organizations, and volunteers, the nursery has grown and
expanded its facilities to meet the needs of the community; and
WHEREAS, The citizens of Corpus Christi have provided the
working parents of their city with an outstanding nursery that
has allowed family members to pursue their education, hold jobs,
and improve their standard of living; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th
Legislature, hereby commend the Mary McLeod Bethune Day Nursery,
Incorporated, on 75 years of outstanding service to the Corpus
Christi community; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for the
nursery in honor of its 75th anniversary.
Hinojosa
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on May 23, 2017.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate