H.C.R. No. 243
                              HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
    1-1        WHEREAS, Statistics regarding Texas' growing juvenile crime
    1-2  rate represent a sobering toll of both human and financial costs;
    1-3  and
    1-4        WHEREAS, According to the Texas Department of Public Safety,
    1-5  violent juvenile crime in Texas has risen by 52 percent over the
    1-6  course of the past decade and, between 1985 and 1991, serious
    1-7  crimes were being committed by youthful offenders in this state at
    1-8  a rate that was twice that of the national average; and
    1-9        WHEREAS, Many young, at-risk Texans who turn to delinquency
   1-10  and crime are children of poor and broken homes that offer them few
   1-11  economic, educational, or social opportunities; in recent years,
   1-12  the lack of role models for our state's young citizens also has
   1-13  been identified as a key factor in the rapid growth of juvenile
   1-14  crime; and
   1-15        WHEREAS, These distressing facts have led the chancellor of
   1-16  Huston-Tillotson College, General John Q. Taylor King, to join with
   1-17  the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission and the nonprofit group
   1-18  Texas Rural Communities to create the innovative Buffalo Soldier
   1-19  Heritage Program, a remarkable endeavor that will enable at-risk
   1-20  children from poor families to develop responsible behavior,
   1-21  improve their self-esteem, and learn the benefits and rewards of
   1-22  hard work through a specially designed curriculum and outdoor
   1-23  skills course; and
   1-24        WHEREAS, In July 1995, Texas Rural Communities will offer its
    2-1  first-ever Buffalo Soldier camp for children; in light of the
    2-2  positive impact this program is certain to have on the future of
    2-3  many young people in our state, it is indeed appropriate that
    2-4  special legislative recognition be accorded to the Buffalo Soldier
    2-5  Heritage Program and its organizers at this time; now, therefore,
    2-6  be it
    2-7        RESOLVED, That the 74th Legislature of the State of Texas
    2-8  hereby commend General John Q. Taylor King and the staff and
    2-9  supporters of Texas Rural Communities for their outstanding efforts
   2-10  in behalf of at-risk youth in the Lone Star State and authorize the
   2-11  Texas Juvenile Probation Commission to assist the organizers of the
   2-12  Buffalo Soldier Heritage Program with the establishment and
   2-13  continuation of this worthy endeavor; and, be it further
   2-14        RESOLVED, That the secretary of state forward an official
   2-15  copy of this resolution to the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission.