By Kubiak H.C.R. No. 243 74R14298 KMP-D 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.