IV 

110TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 510 

Honoring the life accomplishments and extraordinary leadership of Sylvia 

K. Brooks, a 16-year President and CEO of the Houston Area Urban 

League (HAUL) and first female president of the Houston Urban 

League, who transformed the Houston Area Urban League into a nationally-recognized and respected social service agency. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

JUNE 22, 2007 

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas (for herself, Mr. DOGGETT, Ms. KILPATRICK, Mr. 

CLEAVER, Mr. REYES, Mr. GONZALEZ, Mr. SALAZAR, Mr. JACKSON of 

Illinois, Mr. EDWARDS, Mr. LAMPSON, Ms. LEE, Ms. WATERS, Mr. 

HINOJOSA, Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi, Mr. AL GREEN of Texas, Mr. 

CUELLAR, Mr. CONYERS, Mr. MEEK of Florida, Mr. ELLISON, Ms. 

MCCOLLUM of Minnesota, Mr. COURTNEY, Mr. SIRES, Mr. ALTMIRE, Mr. 

GENE GREEN of Texas, Mr. BRADY of Texas, Mrs. JONES of Ohio, and 

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor 

RESOLUTION 

Honoring the life accomplishments and extraordinary leadership of Sylvia K. Brooks, a 16-year President and CEO 

of the Houston Area Urban League (HAUL) and first 

female president of the Houston Urban League, who 

transformed the Houston Area Urban League into a 

nationally-recognized and respected social service agency. 

Whereas Sylvia K. Brooks received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Texas Southern University and her Masters in 

Social Work from the University of Southern California; 


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and completed the Human Service Executive Management Program at Harvard University; 

Whereas Ms. Brooks’ education background led her into a 

successful career in human services in which she spent 

fourteen years as Vice President of Community ProblemSolving and Fund Distribution for the United Way of the 

Texas Gulf Coast; 

Whereas in 1990, Ms. Brooks made history by becoming the 

first female President and CEO of the Houston Area 

Urban League, Inc. (HAUL), and while serving in that 

capacity, brought many new programs to the Urban 

League including: the opening of a Business Systems 

Training Center (Griggs); nationally recognized employment service; expansion of the Housing Counseling 

project for consumers who were previously unable to purchase a home; an outstanding youth leadership and parent development program; and a comprehensive volunteer 

recruitment program; 

Whereas during Ms. Brooks’ tenure as President and CEO, 

the Houston Area Urban League successfully completed 

a $2 million capital campaign, and officially moved into 

its new home at 1301 Texas Avenue in October 1998; 

Whereas Ms. Brooks is a founding member of the Third 

Ward Redevelopment Council, currently a member of the 

board of directors for the OST/Almeda Tax Increment 

Financing District, and a member of the American Leadership Forum. Ms. Brooks manages a staff of 53 with an 

annual budget of $4.6 million; 

Whereas as a homeowner in the Third Ward, Ms. Brooks 

helped organize the Third Ward Redevelopment Council, 

and is a member of the Third Ward Community Cloth, 


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a collaboration of over 300 human service agencies in the 

Third Ward; Pilgrim Congregational Church; Alpha 

Kappa Alpha Sorority; and Jack and Jill of Houston; 

Whereas the current success of the Houston Area Urban 

League is a direct result of the hard work and guidance 

over the past decade by Mrs. Sylvia K. Brooks, President 

and Chief Executive Officer. With 20 years of administrative and managerial leadership experience and her 

commitment to serving her community, Mrs. Brooks has 

met the mission of the League and built the services 

needed by the community and its members; 

Whereas under the leadership of Mrs. Brooks, the Houston 

Area Urban League has embarked on an aggressive campaign to ensure that all Houston citizens have an opportunity to participate fully in the benefits of being an 

American, a Texan and a Houstonian; 

Whereas Ms. Brooks has worked tirelessly in her pursuit of 

equal opportunity and fair treatment and access for all 

Houstonians; 

Whereas in June 2007, after more than 16 years of dedicated 

service, Sylvia K. Brooks will retire from the Houston 

Area Urban League; and 

Whereas Ms. Brooks is married to Errol, a great chef and 

devoted husband; and is the proud mother of three adult 

sons, Leland, Christopher, and Donald: Now, therefore, 

be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives com2 mends Sylvia K. Brooks for her distinguished career of 


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1 service and extraordinary leadership as President and 

2 CEO of the Houston Area Urban League. 

Æ 


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