Adding to an already impressive list of awards, former Garland City Council Member B.J. Williams recently received the “Outstanding Texan Award” from the Texas Legislative Black Caucus. Nominated by State Representative Rhetta Bowers, HD-113, Williams received the award at the TXLBC biennial conference in Austin.
The award bio called him a “distinguished pubic servant” and listed some of his accomplishments.
Williams was named the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Citizen of the Year for four consecutive years, has served on the Garland City Council and as Regional Director of the Texas Association of Local Elected Black Officials. He has spent time serving on the Property Standards Board and the city of Garland Plan Commission. Williams has also served as president, and in numerous other roles, of the NAACP-Garland Unit. In addition, he has served as chairman of the Garland Coalition of the Civil Rights Organization and chairman of the Salvation Army Advisory Council. Williams also served on the Texas Legislative Advisory Committee for State Representative Angie Chen Button.
The bio also mentions that with all of Williams’ responsibilities, he still “found the time to mentor at several high schools and middle schools.”
Williams said that he was humbled to receive the award.
“To have received this distinguished award was a humbling surprise and honor,” he said. “…”For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.” (St. Luke 12:48 B clause)
About the TXLBC: The Texas Legislative Black Caucus is an organization that is comprised of all of the African-American lawmakers in Texas. The purpose of the organization is to bring the law-makers together so that we can work as a group to make sure that the needs of our community, at-large, get met. The Texas Legislative Black Caucus was formed in 1973 and consisted of eight members. These founding members were: Rep. Anthony Hall (Houston), Rep. Mickey Leland (Houston), Rep. Senfronia Thompson (Houston), Rep. Craig Washington (Houston), Rep. Sam Hudson (Dallas), Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (Dallas), Rep. Paul Ragsdale (Dallas), and Rep. G.J. Sutton (San Antonio). The TLBC is currently composed of 17 Members of the Texas House of Representatives and two Senators of the Texas Senate committed to addressing the issues African Americans face across the State of Texas. Rep. Helen Giddings (Dallas) currently serves as Chair for the 85th Texas Legislative Session.