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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Vikki J. Martin has greatly benefited residents of |
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Far East Dallas as founder and executive director of the Ferguson |
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Road Initiative; and |
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WHEREAS, Ms. Martin established the nonprofit organization |
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in 1998 to engage residents in addressing crime problems that had |
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led to urban blight, causing property values to diminish and |
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businesses to abandon the area; the group participated in the Weed |
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and Seed program of the U.S. Department of Justice from 2000 to |
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2011, "weeding" out crime and "seeding" economic development and |
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social services; and |
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WHEREAS, Under the leadership of Ms. Martin, FRI has |
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partnered with local law enforcement agencies and neighborhood |
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organizations to reduce crime substantially, and it has pressured |
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absentee landlords to improve substandard conditions; in addition, |
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it has formed relationships with public schools to promote family |
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involvement, recruit volunteers, and provide after-school |
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programming and academic enrichment opportunities; the FRI bond |
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committee has secured more than $40 million over the years to |
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improve streets, bridges, and parks, mitigate flooding, and add |
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such amenities as a branch library and recreation center; and |
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WHEREAS, Signs of revitalization now abound in Far East |
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Dallas, with investment in retail and housing developments and |
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rising property values; supporting a diverse population of more |
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than 93,000, FRI continues to focus on quality of life while also |
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managing programs to stabilize vulnerable families; today, FRI |
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includes nearly 40 neighborhood associations, crime watch groups, |
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and other stakeholders; and |
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WHEREAS, An artist and retired educator, Ms. Martin taught |
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studio art and advanced placement art history at The Episcopal |
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School of Dallas for 34 years before her retirement in 2017; she has |
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resided in Far East Dallas for more than three decades; and |
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WHEREAS, Vikki Martin has made a lasting, positive difference |
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in her community through her vision, leadership, and unyielding |
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dedication, and her exceptional accomplishments have earned the |
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deep admiration and appreciation of her fellow citizens; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas |
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Legislature hereby honor Vikki J. Martin for her service as founder |
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and executive director of the Ferguson Road Initiative and extend |
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to her sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Ms. Martin as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
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House of Representatives. |
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Crockett |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 1436 was adopted by the House on May |
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26, 2021, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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