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 nation-
ally-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 re-
ferred to the Committee on Education and Labor 
RESOLUTION 
Honoring the life accomplishments and extraordinary leader-
ship 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 de-
gree 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 Manage-
ment 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 Problem- 
Solving 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 employ-
ment service; expansion of the Housing Counseling 
project for consumers who were previously unable to pur-
chase a home; an outstanding youth leadership and par-
ent 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 Lead-
ership 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 adminis-
trative 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 cam-
paign to ensure that all Houston citizens have an oppor-
tunity 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 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives com-
mends Sylvia K. Brooks for her distinguished career of 
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