TITLE: Recognizing the 26th annual Barbara Jordan National Forum.

SUMMARY: Recognizing the 26th annual Barbara Jordan National Forum.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The 26th annual Barbara Jordan National Forum took place in Austin in February 2023, providing a fitting opportunity to recognize the outstanding students who organized the event; and WHEREAS, A native Houstonian, Barbara Jordan was the first African American to hold a seat in a state Senate since 1883 and the first African American woman from the Deep South to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives; during her time in Congress, she distinguished herself as a dedicated and influential advocate for civil rights; she also served on the Judiciary Committee, and she gained national recognition for her remarks on the Watergate scandal; in 1979, she accepted a position as the Lyndon B. Johnson Centennial Chair in National Policy at the LBJ School of Public Affairs, and she held that role until her passing in 1996; and WHEREAS, Each February, the LBJ School of Public Affairs hosts a monthlong forum in honor of this trailblazing lawmaker, and the event is organized by students who are elected by their peers; the 2023 Barbara Jordan National Forum student leaders include Morgan Brown, Jordan Nellums, and Jennifer Perales, who are all completing graduate studies in public affairs; and WHEREAS, This year's forum featured a day of volunteerism as well as a number of lectures and other events, such as a keynote speech by former congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, a ceremony to present the Barbara Jordan Public Service Award, and the Barbara Jordan Freedom Foundation Luncheon; and WHEREAS, Through their efforts to make the Barbara Jordan National Forum a success, the event's student organizers are helping to ensure that Barbara Jordan's legacy of activism and public service is carried on by future generations of civic leaders; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th Legislature, hereby commemorate the 26th annual Barbara Jordan National Forum and extend to the event's student leaders sincere best wishes for the future. Eckhardt, Alvarado President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on March 23, 2023.