TITLE: Congratulating OCA-Greater Houston for being named Chapter of the Year at the OCA National Convention.

SUMMARY: Congratulating OCA-Greater Houston for being named Chapter of the Year at the OCA National Convention.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The Greater Houston chapter of OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates was named Chapter of the Year at the OCA National Convention in Sacramento, California, on August 5, 2017; and WHEREAS, Founded in 1973 as the Organization of Chinese Americans, the renamed OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates seeks to advance the social, political, and economic well-being of Asian Pacific Americans in the United States; and WHEREAS, OCA-Greater Houston was established in 1979, and since then, it has taken part in voter registration drives, supported scholarship programs, hosted nationally known speakers, sponsored performances by dance and theater companies, and conducted educational seminars on such topics as workplace rights, affirmative action, and hate crimes; and WHEREAS, The chapter has also helped to establish the Asian American Legal Center of Texas, the Coalition Against Asian American Bashing, and the Asian American Women's Forum, and it has worked closely with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the U.S. Department of Labor on educational outreach; in addition, members have supported the OCA Summer Internship program in Washington, D.C., donated books by Asian Pacific authors to college and public libraries, and raised public awareness on issues of importance to Asian Pacific Americans; and WHEREAS, In addition to being named Chapter of the Year, OCA-Greater Houston also took first place at the national convention in advocacy, first place in programs, and second place in economic development; and WHEREAS, For nearly four decades, OCA-Greater Houston has been a champion for Asian Pacific Americans in the Bayou City and beyond, and its efforts are truly deserving of this national honor; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby congratulate OCA-Greater Houston on being named OCA 2017 Chapter of the Year and extend to its members sincere best wishes for continued success in their important work; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for OCA-Greater Houston as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Wu Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 495 was adopted by the House on August 15, 2017, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House