[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 112 (Friday, August 1, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1609-E1610]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              TRIBUTE TO THE HONORABLE KARYNE JONES CONLEY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CIRO D. RODRIGUEZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 31, 1997

  Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, six of my colleagues from the Texas 
delegation--Mr. Brady, Mr. Edwards, Mr. Green, Ms. E.B. Johnson, Mr. 
Sam Johnson, and Mr. Turner--and I all had the privilege of serving in 
the Texas Legislature prior to being elected to the U.S. Congress. 
During our respective tenures in the State Legislature, all seven of us 
were honored to know a wonderful lady--and native of San Antonio--by 
the name of Karyne Jones Conley, who served as a member of the Texas 
House of Representatives, District No. 120 of eastern Bexar County, 
from January 10, 1989, to July 10, 1996. From July 1996 to present, Ms. 
Conley--now relocated to the Washington, DC metropolitan area--has 
served as director of Federal relations for S.B.C. Telecommunications, 
Inc., a post which has brought her great pleasure and personal 
satisfaction.
  At the initiative of her former Capitol office administrative 
assistant, Mr. Gregory D. Watson of Austin, TX, who now serves in that 
same capacity for State Representative Leo Alvarado, Jr., also of Bexar 
County, the recently-concluded regular session of the 75th Legislature 
honored Ms. Conley with the adoption of House Concurrent Resolution No. 
320, which was presented in the Texas House by Representative Alvarado, 
and in the Texas Senate by State Senator Frank L. Madila, Jr. The 
resolution was then signed by Texas Governor George W. Bush on June 18, 
1997.
  Mr. Speaker, having known and having worked with Ms. Conley for many 
years in San Antonio, then in Austin, and now in Washington, DC, I, 
too, would like to pay tribute to this outstanding public servant. I 
respectfully ask that the full text of House Concurrent Resolution No. 
320 be printed in the Congressional Record as follows:

                           The State of Texas

                        House of Representatives

                  House Concurrent Resolution No. 320

       Whereas, The Texas Legislature is proud to congratulate 
     former State Representative Karyne Jones Conley on her latest 
     career achievements with SBC Telecommunications, Inc., in 
     Washington, D.C.; and
       Whereas, A native San Antonian, Ms. Conley earned a 
     bachelor's degree in political science from Clark Atlanta 
     University in Georgia and a master's degree in public affairs 
     from Northern Illinois University; in 1995, she completed her 
     second master's degree at Harvard University, focusing on the 
     study of economic and political development; and
       Whereas, Ms. Conley began her distinguished public service 
     career in our nation's capital as a congressional aide to 
     former U.S. Representative Andrew Young of Georgia, and when 
     he was appointed by then-President Jimmy Carter to the post 
     of Ambassador to the United Nations, the youthful Miss Jones 
     served as Young's Public Affairs Officer at the United States 
     Mission to the United Nations in New York City; and
       Whereas, After returning to her hometown of San Antonio, 
     Ms. Conley drew upon her deep interest in both education and 
     the arts as Director of the Carver Cultural Center and as a 
     grant writer for The University of Texas Institute of Texan 
     Cultures; she also served as Program Developer for Continuing 
     Education at San Antonio College, and in 1985, she was 
     elected to her first public office, the East Central 
     Independent School District Board of Trustees; and
       Whereas, Highly regarded throughout the community for her 
     professionalism, integrity, and dedication, this esteemed 
     lady was elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 
     1988, representing eastern San Antonio and Bexar County and 
     was re-elected without opposition in 1990, 1992, and 1994; 
     during her four terms of office, Representative Conley 
     demonstrated intelligence and leadership as a member of the 
     Appropriations, House Administration, Corrections, and 
     Judiciary committees, and she was tapped to serve as vice-
     chair of the House's Urban Affairs Committee; and
       Whereas, Since July 1996, Ms. Conley has served with 
     distinction as Director of Federal Relations with SBC 
     Telecommunications, Inc., in Washington, D.C., and although 
     this position has temporarily drawn

[[Page E1610]]

     her away from her beloved San Antonio, her neighbors and many 
     friends in the Lone Star State are hopeful that she will 
     eventually return home; and
       Whereas, In this, as in all of her endeavors, Ms. Conley 
     has enjoyed the love and support of her family, which 
     includes her husband, attorney Jim Conley, and four children: 
     James, Jason, John, and Karyne Jalon; and
       Whereas, Both in her personal life and in her professional 
     service, the Honorable Karyne Jones Conley has exhibited an 
     abiding concern for the well-being of her fellow Americans, 
     and she is indeed deserving of recognition as she pursues 
     this new chapter of her life; now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the 75th Legislature of the State of Texas, 
     Regular Session, 1997, hereby congratulate former State 
     Representative Karyne Jones Conley on her new position with 
     SBC Telecommunications, Inc., and extend to her warmest best 
     wishes for continued success; and, be it further
       Resolved, That an official copy of this resolution be 
     prepared for Ms. Conley as an expression of highest regard by 
     the Texas House of Representatives and Senate.

     

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