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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The volunteers, staff, and board members who make up |
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the Texas Court Appointed Special Advocates network are gathering |
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in Austin on March 1, 2023, for CASA Day at the State Capitol; and |
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WHEREAS, Texas CASA is part of a national volunteer movement |
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that began in 1977 and enlists local community volunteers to |
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support children and families involved in the foster care system; |
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beginning in 1979 with the first CASA program in Dallas, and |
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followed by the formation of Texas CASA in 1989, judges and |
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communities across the state have worked to expand CASA's services; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Providing 73 local programs in 219 of the state's |
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254 counties, Texas CASA has grown to become one of the largest such |
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initiatives in the nation; through their advocacy efforts in the |
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2022 fiscal year, CASA volunteers made a difference for nearly |
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24,000 youth by helping to build family connections and working to |
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address each child's mental, medical, and educational needs during |
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their time in foster care; and |
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WHEREAS, CASA volunteers are appointed by a judge to provide |
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valuable information and to make informed recommendations to courts |
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that serve the best interests of each child; and |
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WHEREAS, The CASA network in Texas works tirelessly to ensure |
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that the organization grows in size in order to serve more children |
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and families and grows in understanding and practice to ensure that |
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CASA serves those children and families as informed, collaborative |
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partners in an ever-evolving system of care; and |
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WHEREAS, All those associated with CASA are truly deserving |
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of recognition for their important work and service to the State of |
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Texas, its courts, its children, and its families; now, therefore, |
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be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize March 1, 2023, as CASA Day at the State |
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Capitol and commend the organization for its diligent efforts to |
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aid abused and neglected children in the State of Texas; and, be it |
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further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for CASA as an expression of high regard by the Texas House |
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of Representatives. |