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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, For nearly two decades, The Arc of Greater Beaumont |
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has served as an important resource and advocate for area residents |
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with disabilities; and |
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WHEREAS, In 2005, The Arc of Greater Beaumont was established |
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as a local chapter of The Arc of Texas and The Arc of the United |
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States, which were formed in the early 1950s to promote the |
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inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental |
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disabilities; the founding of the Beaumont chapter was led by five |
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concerned parents who wanted to provide opportunities for their |
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young adult children to socialize after they graduated from public |
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school; over the span of a decade, the organization grew to serve |
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more than 400 individuals, offering a variety of programs designed |
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to help them live fuller and more independent lives; and |
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WHEREAS, Through The Arc's Adult Socialization and Leisure |
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Activities program, participants take part in field trips, dances, |
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community service projects, and other activities in a safe, |
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supervised environment, which can help them become more adept at |
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interacting with others; The Arc of Greater Beaumont also offers a |
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Children & Family Services program that provides specialized |
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support for the families and caregivers of children with |
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developmental disabilities; moreover, the chapter's Southeast |
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Texas Self-Advocates initiative is managed by adults with |
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disabilities and designed to help its members develop skills in the |
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areas of self-advocacy, leadership, and education; and |
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WHEREAS, The Arc of Greater Beaumont has excelled in its |
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mission of building a more inclusive and equitable community for |
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all, and the contributions of the organization and its hardworking |
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volunteers have touched the lives of numerous area residents; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas |
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Legislature hereby honor The Arc of Greater Beaumont for its |
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service to individuals with intellectual and developmental |
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disabilities and their families and extend to the organization's |
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leadership, staff, and volunteers sincere best wishes for the |
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future; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for The Arc of Greater Beaumont as an expression of high |
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regard by the Texas House of Representatives. |