[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 510 Introduced in House (IH)]
110th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 510
Honoring the life accomplishments and extraordinary leadership of
Sylvia K. Brooks, a 16-year President and CEO of the Houston Area Urban
League (HAUL) and first female president of the Houston Urban League,
who transformed the Houston Area Urban League into a nationally-
recognized and respected social service agency.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 22, 2007
Ms. Jackson-Lee of Texas (for herself, Mr. Doggett, Ms. Kilpatrick, Mr.
Cleaver, Mr. Reyes, Mr. Gonzalez, Mr. Salazar, Mr. Jackson of Illinois,
Mr. Edwards, Mr. Lampson, Ms. Lee, Ms. Waters, Mr. Hinojosa, Mr.
Thompson of Mississippi, Mr. Al Green of Texas, Mr. Cuellar, Mr.
Conyers, Mr. Meek of Florida, Mr. Ellison, Ms. McCollum of Minnesota,
Mr. Courtney, Mr. Sires, Mr. Altmire, Mr. Gene Green of Texas, Mr.
Brady of Texas, Mrs. Jones of Ohio, and Mr. Lewis of Georgia) submitted
the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on
Education and Labor
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Honoring the life accomplishments and extraordinary leadership of
Sylvia K. Brooks, a 16-year President and CEO of the Houston Area Urban
League (HAUL) and first female president of the Houston Urban League,
who transformed the Houston Area Urban League into a nationally-
recognized and respected social service agency.
Whereas Sylvia K. Brooks received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Texas
Southern University and her Masters in Social Work from the University
of Southern California; and completed the Human Service Executive
Management Program at Harvard University;
Whereas Ms. Brooks' education background led her into a successful career in
human services in which she spent fourteen years as Vice President of
Community Problem-Solving and Fund Distribution for the United Way of
the Texas Gulf Coast;
Whereas in 1990, Ms. Brooks made history by becoming the first female President
and CEO of the Houston Area Urban League, Inc. (HAUL), and while serving
in that capacity, brought many new programs to the Urban League
including: the opening of a Business Systems Training Center (Griggs);
nationally recognized employment service; expansion of the Housing
Counseling project for consumers who were previously unable to purchase
a home; an outstanding youth leadership and parent development program;
and a comprehensive volunteer recruitment program;
Whereas during Ms. Brooks' tenure as President and CEO, the Houston Area Urban
League successfully completed a $2 million capital campaign, and
officially moved into its new home at 1301 Texas Avenue in October 1998;
Whereas Ms. Brooks is a founding member of the Third Ward Redevelopment Council,
currently a member of the board of directors for the OST/Almeda Tax
Increment Financing District, and a member of the American Leadership
Forum. Ms. Brooks manages a staff of 53 with an annual budget of $4.6
million;
Whereas as a homeowner in the Third Ward, Ms. Brooks helped organize the Third
Ward Redevelopment Council, and is a member of the Third Ward Community
Cloth, a collaboration of over 300 human service agencies in the Third
Ward; Pilgrim Congregational Church; Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority; and
Jack and Jill of Houston;
Whereas the current success of the Houston Area Urban League is a direct result
of the hard work and guidance over the past decade by Mrs. Sylvia K.
Brooks, President and Chief Executive Officer. With 20 years of
administrative and managerial leadership experience and her commitment
to serving her community, Mrs. Brooks has met the mission of the League
and built the services needed by the community and its members;
Whereas under the leadership of Mrs. Brooks, the Houston Area Urban League has
embarked on an aggressive campaign to ensure that all Houston citizens
have an opportunity to participate fully in the benefits of being an
American, a Texan and a Houstonian;
Whereas Ms. Brooks has worked tirelessly in her pursuit of equal opportunity and
fair treatment and access for all Houstonians;
Whereas in June 2007, after more than 16 years of dedicated service, Sylvia K.
Brooks will retire from the Houston Area Urban League; and
Whereas Ms. Brooks is married to Errol, a great chef and devoted husband; and is
the proud mother of three adult sons, Leland, Christopher, and Donald:
Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives commends Sylvia K.
Brooks for her distinguished career of service and extraordinary
leadership as President and CEO of the Houston Area Urban League.
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