HR26 - In memory of Ara La'Shon Duke.

      H.R. No. 26       R E S O L U T I O N          WHEREAS, The family and friends of Ara La'Shon Duke suffered   an immeasurable loss with her death on June 15, 2024, at the age of   54; and          WHEREAS, The daughter of Marsha Garnett-Halmon and Carl   Walker, Ara Duke was born on October 26, 1969, in Dallas; she shared   in the companionship of three siblings, Ismail Rashid-Walker, Carla   Walker, and Brandon Halmon, and her family also included her   stepparents, Blanche Walker and Melvin Halmon; she attended Justin   F. Kimball High School, where she was a drill team lieutenant, and   after graduating in 1988, she continued her education at Texas A&M   University and earned a bachelor's degree in organizational   management from Ashford University; and          WHEREAS, In the course of a successful career, Mrs. Duke   worked for the SouthWest Water Company and Lonestar Social   Services; she subsequently pursued her passion for education,   serving as the director of the First Steps Discovery Learning   Center and as a teacher and leader at IDEA Rundberg; she took an   active role in her community through her involvement with NPH USA,   Black Women in Business, and Mission Accomplished, among other   organizations; a woman of faith, she was a member of the   congregation at Restoration Christian Ministry International   Church and served in the women's, children's, and intercessory   prayer ministries; and          WHEREAS, She married the love of her life, Christopher Duke,   in 2002, and the couple became the proud parents of a daughter,   Alena, the following year; in her leisure hours, Mrs. Duke enjoyed   traveling, reading, trying out new restaurants, and watching Black   cinema and her favorite television franchise, Star Trek ; she was   also a lifelong fan of the Dallas Cowboys; and          WHEREAS, Admired for her warmth, her generosity of spirit,   and her sparkling personality, Ara Duke brightened the world for   all who knew her, and they will forever hold her close in their   hearts; now, therefore, be it          RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas   Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Ara La'Shon Duke and   extend heartfelt sympathy to all who mourn her passing; and, be it   further          RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be   prepared for her family and that when the Texas House of   Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Ara Duke.     Cole     ______________________________   Speaker of the House                 I certify that H.R. No. 26 was unanimously adopted by a rising   vote of the House on March 6, 2025.     ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House