TITLE: Honoring Gertrudejane Holliday Stone of Houston for her civic leadership and activism.

SUMMARY: Honoring Gertrudejane Holliday Stone of Houston for her civic leadership and activism.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Gertrudejane Holliday Stone has earned the admiration of many fellow citizens through the contributions she has made as a civil rights icon and a pillar of the Houston community; and WHEREAS, Mrs. Stone made history in December 1955, when she refused to give up her seat to a White passenger on a public train, unknowingly becoming part of the anti-segregation movement initiated by Rosa Parks in Montgomery, Alabama, several days earlier; although her brave and heroic act was not widely known outside of Houston, she went on to be recognized during a visit to the White House in 2020 and was also honored by The Kelly Clarkson Show in 2021; and WHEREAS, A graduate of Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee, Mrs. Stone was also a trailblazer in Pennsylvania, where she worked as a department store salesperson at a time when it was largely unheard of for a Black person to do so; she was later employed as a teacher in the Houston Independent School District for about a decade before her retirement; and WHEREAS, Over the years, this inspiring woman has volunteered with numerous organizations, such as the Harris County Heritage Society and the St. Elizabeth Hospital of Houston Foundation, which was founded by her husband, the late Dr. John S. Stone; she has served on the advisory board of Alley Theatre, on the executive board of the Houston Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., and on various other boards and committees, in addition to providing leadership as the first Black chair of the Houston Public Library board and as cofounder of St. Mary's Catholic Church Federal Credit Union; she was also instrumental in founding the National African American Museum in Houston; and WHEREAS, In acknowledgment of her volunteer work and her significant contributions to the civil rights movement, Mrs. Stone has received the Beautiful Activist Award from Brandeis University and the title of Lady of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, the highest honor bestowed upon a Catholic layperson by papal invitation; and WHEREAS, Gertrudejane Stone is a distinguished citizen who has demonstrated remarkable courage in breaking down racial barriers throughout her life, and her achievements are truly deserving of special recognition; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas Legislature hereby honor Gertrudejane Holliday Stone for her civic leadership and activism and extend to her sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Mrs. Stone as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Dutton Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 255 was adopted by the House on March 8, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 140, Nays 0, 2 present, not voting. Chief Clerk of the House