By Shields H.R. No. 268 74R6137 BNL-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The citizens of San Antonio lost an admired civic 1-2 leader and a compassionate friend with the passing of Roy Maas on 1-3 October 30, 1994, at the age of 46; and 1-4 WHEREAS, A native of La Grange, Mr. Maas was an outstanding 1-5 football player at Texas Lutheran College, where he holds the 1-6 school record for career pass receptions; after college, he was 1-7 recruited by the Canadian Football League and played professionally 1-8 for the Saskatchewan Roughriders; and 1-9 WHEREAS, Mr. Maas is known throughout San Antonio not for his 1-10 athletic prowess but rather for his 18-year career with Youth 1-11 Alternatives, a United Way agency dedicated to serving children in 1-12 crisis; he joined the organization, then known as Bridge Emergency 1-13 Shelter, in 1976 after earning a master's degree in counseling from 1-14 Texas Christian University; and 1-15 WHEREAS, The shelter later merged with Girlsville to form 1-16 Youth Alternatives, Inc., and Mr. Maas became the executive 1-17 director of this growing nonprofit organization; a tireless 1-18 advocate for the young people of his community, Mr. Maas worked 1-19 night and day to create a better future for 20,000 abused and 1-20 neglected children in the San Antonio area; and 1-21 WHEREAS, Under his guidance and direction, the organization 1-22 grew to encompass a residential treatment center, child-care 1-23 program, emergency shelter, counseling center, and thrift shop, and 1-24 more than 80 children find aid, shelter, and assistance here each 2-1 day; in recognition of the dedication and compassion that Mr. Maas 2-2 brought to his duties, the board of directors voted in 1993 to 2-3 rename the organization Roy Maas' Youth Alternatives; and 2-4 WHEREAS, In his final years, this remarkable individual 2-5 displayed the same courage, dignity, and concern for others that 2-6 had always characterized his life, and he used his illness to 2-7 demonstrate to others that every experience, no matter how painful, 2-8 is an opportunity for change and growth; and 2-9 WHEREAS, Few people have made so profound an impact on the 2-10 world around them as Roy Maas, and his lifelong efforts to bring 2-11 hope and happiness to forgotten children are an inspiration to all 2-12 who had the privilege to know him; his heroic work with Youth 2-13 Alternatives benefitted society's most vulnerable citizens, and 2-14 each young life that has been turned around there is a testament to 2-15 the strong and generous spirit of Roy Maas; now, therefore, be it 2-16 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives hereby pay 2-17 tribute to the life of Roy Maas and extend sincere condolences to 2-18 the members of his family: to his son, Victor Maas; to his father, 2-19 Harold Maas; to his foster son, Gerald Turley; to his good friend, 2-20 Anita Johnston; and to the many other friends and relatives of this 2-21 beloved man; and, be it further 2-22 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-23 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas 2-24 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of 2-25 Roy Maas.