TITLE: Congratulating Janice Gabriel on being named the 2010 Northwest Houston Leader of the Year.

SUMMARY: Congratulating Janice Gabriel on being named the 2010 Northwest Houston Leader of the Year.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Janice Gabriel of the Mangum Manor neighborhood of Houston has been named the 2010 Northwest Houston Leader of the Year; and WHEREAS, Since 1982, The Leader newspaper in Northwest Houston has recognized a local resident whose tireless efforts have significantly benefited the community; the paper solicits nominations for the award from its readers, and a panel of judges who have contributed to Northwest Houston themselves makes the final selection; and WHEREAS, A native of Kentucky, Janice Gabriel grew up in Jefferson City, Missouri; in 1959, she moved to the Montrose area of Houston, where she met her future husband, Charles Gabriel, at a young adults club; they were married at St. Anne Catholic Church in 1960 and moved to Mangum Manor a few years later; they have lived in the same house on Hialeah Drive for more than 47 years; and WHEREAS, Currently serving her second term as president of the Mangum Manor Civic Club, Mrs. Gabriel has played a leading role in obtaining many neighborhood improvements, including the creation of a jogging trail through the local park and the development of scenic esplanades on Antoine Drive; she has also successfully advocated for the installation of neighborhood entrance signs, new water lines in the older sections of the subdivision, and a wheelchair ramp in Mangum Manor Park; moreover, she initiated the process for a "No Cars in Yards" ordinance, which was approved, and she works closely with the Houston Police Department on crime and property complaints; on any given day, she can be found contributing to her fellow residents through such simple gestures as planting trees and flowers and picking up litter; and WHEREAS, This dynamic 71-year-old woman spent her career as a teacher at Katherine Smith Elementary School, and she later served as president of the Houston Association of Retired Teachers; she continues to volunteer for a number of organizations, including the Environmental Education Committee of Keep Houston Beautiful, the St. Ambrose Catholic Church Altar Society, the Zeta Mu Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Women Educators, which she serves as president, and the Central Northwest Super Neighborhood Council, which she serves as vice president; and WHEREAS, In all of her endeavors, Mrs. Gabriel enjoys the love and support of her husband and her daughters, Charlene Nelson and her husband, Marty, Evelyn Harding and her husband, Steve, and Laura Wadley and her husband, Tim, and Mrs. Gabriel's family further includes four grandchildren, Martin, Danielle, Madeline, and Gabrielle; and WHEREAS, The vitality of a community depends in large measure on the active engagement of its citizens, and Janice Gabriel stands at the forefront of those individuals who are making a positive difference in the world around them through their dedication and leadership; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas Legislature hereby congratulate Janice Gabriel on her selection as the 2010 Northwest Houston Leader of the Year and extend to her sincere best wishes for continued success and happiness; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Mrs. Gabriel as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Bohac Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 2015 was adopted by the House on May 26, 2011, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House