By Davis H.R. No. 570
74R9588 SAJ-D
R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is proud to honor
1-2 Sylvia L. Benenson for the many significant contributions she has
1-3 made to the citizens of Dallas during her 30 years of service as a
1-4 community volunteer; and
1-5 WHEREAS, Mrs. Benenson earned her bachelor's degree in speech
1-6 therapy from The University of Texas at Austin and worked as a
1-7 speech therapist for six years; she had a positive effect on the
1-8 lives of countless youths in North Central Texas through her years
1-9 of service to the Dallas Independent School District; and
1-10 WHEREAS, Throughout her lifetime, she has demonstrated a deep
1-11 and abiding commitment to a variety of social concerns; she
1-12 previously distinguished herself as a board member with the
1-13 Volunteer Center and as a founding member of Family Outreach in
1-14 Northwest Dallas County, and she capably served on the Social
1-15 Services Committee with the Martin Luther King Community Center;
1-16 and
1-17 WHEREAS, Moreover, Mrs. Benenson has been affiliated with the
1-18 Community Board Institute for many years and has offered invaluable
1-19 insight as an esteemed member of the City of Dallas's Community
1-20 Development Advisory Committee, the Dallas Jewish Coalition for the
1-21 Homeless, Shared Housing, and Jewish Family Service; and
1-22 WHEREAS, She continues to work for the benefit of family
1-23 concerns today as an active member of the Dallas Commission on
1-24 Children and Youth, the Court Appointed Special Advocate Board, the
2-1 North Texas Coalition for Children, and the Women's Council of
2-2 Dallas County; and
2-3 WHEREAS, She has marshalled her unbridled energy and
2-4 enthusiasm to serve the National Council of Jewish Women in a
2-5 variety of leadership positions over the years, and she currently
2-6 heads its Home Instruction Program for Preschool Children and the
2-7 Safeguards for Seniors project; she was recognized for her many
2-8 years of faithful service to the group with its Hannah G. Solomon
2-9 Award in 1984; and
2-10 WHEREAS, A woman of diverse talents and interests,
2-11 Mrs. Benenson offers wise and thoughtful guidance as a board member
2-12 of both the North Texas Refugee Interagency and the Vietnamese
2-13 Mutual Assistance Association; this exceptional lady was honored
2-14 for her service to these groups with the Vietnamese Community of
2-15 Greater Dallas' Humanitarian Award in 1994; and
2-16 WHEREAS, Recognized as a leader in health care issues, she
2-17 has held positions with the Coalition for Public Health and the
2-18 East Dallas Health Coalition, and she recently was elected to the
2-19 Executive Committee of the Dallas Healthy Start Consortium; in
2-20 recognition of her efforts, she will be honored with the Special
2-21 Recognition Prism Award from the Mental Health Association of
2-22 Greater Dallas; and
2-23 WHEREAS, Her outstanding contributions over the years have
2-24 earned her many other prestigious accolades as well, including the
2-25 National Association of Social Workers' Public Citizen of the Year
2-26 Award in 1990, and more recently, the Women's Council of Greater
2-27 Dallas 1995 Distinguished Service Award; moreover, this remarkable
3-1 woman was a national finalist for J. C. Penney's Golden Rule Award;
3-2 and
3-3 WHEREAS, A deeply religious individual, she has served her
3-4 faith in numerous ways and currently chairs Temple Emanu-El's
3-5 Social Action Committee, having previously served on its board of
3-6 directors for many years; she was recognized for her exemplary
3-7 efforts with the Sisterhood of Temple Emanu-El's Hall of Fame Award
3-8 for Outstanding Service in 1987; and
3-9 WHEREAS, Throughout her many endeavors, she has enjoyed the
3-10 love and support of her devoted husband, Murray P. Benenson, and
3-11 the couple's two fine sons; and
3-12 WHEREAS, Respected and admired for her immense dedication and
3-13 compassion, Mrs. Benenson has worked tirelessly for the betterment
3-14 of the Dallas metropolitan community, and her exceptional
3-15 commitment has served as a source of inspiration to all who are
3-16 privileged to know her; now, therefore, be it
3-17 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas
3-18 Legislature hereby honor Sylvia L. Benenson for the many
3-19 significant contributions she has made to the people of Dallas as a
3-20 community volunteer and wish her continued success in all her
3-21 future endeavors; and, be it further
3-22 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
3-23 prepared for Mrs. Benenson as an expression of high regard by the
3-24 Texas House of Representatives.