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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Kimberly Shappley of Austin has distinguished |
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herself through her exceptional work as an advocate for the |
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transgender youth community in Texas; and |
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WHEREAS, The proud mother of a transgender daughter, Kai, |
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Ms. Shappley began her activism around the time that Kai entered |
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kindergarten; the family then resided in Pearland, and Ms. Shappley |
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spoke at school board meetings about anti-trans policies that |
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frequently reduced Kai to tears; in 2017, she and Kai testified in a |
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Texas Senate committee hearing against the so-called bathroom bill |
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that would have prevented transgender people from accessing |
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restrooms and locker rooms that matched their gender identity; |
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mother and daughter also shared their story in an |
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Emmy-Award-winning documentary; and |
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WHEREAS, In order to provide a more nurturing and affirming |
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school environment for Kai, Ms. Shappley moved the family to Austin |
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in 2018, and she has continued to fight for the rights of |
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transgender youth; in 2021, Kimberly and Kai received further |
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attention when Kai delivered powerful testimony before the Senate |
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Committee on State Affairs in opposition to three |
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transgender-related bills; video of her appearance went viral on |
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social media, raising awareness across the country of proposed |
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legislation targeting the trans community and their families; and |
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WHEREAS, By courageously speaking out in behalf of |
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transgender children and serving as a stalwart ally, Kimberly |
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Shappley has set an inspiring example for other parents and helped |
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the public gain a greater understanding of issues that affect |
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transgender youth and their families; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas |
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Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby commend Kimberly Shappley |
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for her advocacy in behalf of the transgender youth community in |
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Texas and extend to her sincere best wishes for continued success in |
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her important work; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Ms. Shappley as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |
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Zwiener |
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A. Johnson of Harris |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 285 was adopted by the House on |
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October 18, 2021, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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