By Gutierrez                                           H.R. No. 748
       74R10694 PFG-D
                                  R E S O L U T I O N
    1-1        WHEREAS, Project ARISE was recently selected as one of the
    1-2  Best of Texas programs for 1995 by the Corporate Fund for Children
    1-3  in recognition of its outstanding efforts to promote literacy among
    1-4  residents of the Las Milpas colonias in the Lower Rio Grande
    1-5  Valley; and
    1-6        WHEREAS, Each year the Corporate Fund for Children searches
    1-7  communities throughout the state for innovative programs that are
    1-8  improving the lives of children and their families; to qualify for
    1-9  receipt of this prestigious honor, programs must offer unique
   1-10  solutions to persistent social problems, assist traditionally
   1-11  underserved populations, respect multiculturally diverse
   1-12  populations, and be model programs that other communities can
   1-13  emulate; and
   1-14        WHEREAS, The Project ARISE program was founded in 1988 by
   1-15  Sister Gerrie Naughton of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas and
   1-16  citizens of the predominately poor and Spanish-speaking Las Milpas
   1-17  community, who together identified local residents' lack of
   1-18  proficiency with the English language as the greatest impediment to
   1-19  their economic and social progress; and
   1-20        WHEREAS, To this end, the program has sent its volunteer
   1-21  tutors into the homes of local residents and incorporated Mexican
   1-22  music, folktales, and dance, as well as the achievements of
   1-23  prominent Mexican-Americans in the United States, into its
   1-24  activities to aid the learning process and to build the self-image
    2-1  of residents by validating their native history and culture; and
    2-2        WHEREAS, In addition, a specially designed program for
    2-3  preschoolers provides the youngest members of the community with
    2-4  the skills necessary to get off to a good start in the public
    2-5  school system; and
    2-6        WHEREAS, Since its inception, Project ARISE has helped
    2-7  hundreds of children and adults in the Las Milpas colonias acquire
    2-8  the basic language skills and confidence they need to succeed in a
    2-9  new country; and
   2-10        WHEREAS, To achieve its mission, this excellent program has
   2-11  collaborated with local government, businesses, universities,
   2-12  foundations, and civic organizations, as well as the Sisters of
   2-13  Mercy of the Americas and the federal VISTA program to support its
   2-14  services, and the program also has received the enthusiastic
   2-15  assistance of numerous volunteers from throughout the community,
   2-16  including Winter Texans and high school students from Arkansas and
   2-17  Oklahoma; and
   2-18        WHEREAS, Project ARISE joins two other groups in the Valley
   2-19  who have been designated Best of Texas programs this year, Planned
   2-20  Parenthood of Hidalgo County and the Border Association for
   2-21  Refugees from Central America (BARCA), a truly noteworthy
   2-22  accomplishment that is directly attributable to local citizens'
   2-23  sincere concern for the welfare of others; and
   2-24        WHEREAS, A shining example of what a community can accomplish
   2-25  through the commitment, hard work, and imagination of its citizens,
   2-26  Project ARISE is making a lasting and positive difference in the
   2-27  lives of area residents and deserves our highest praise and
    3-1  recognition for its many accomplishments at this time; now,
    3-2  therefore, be it
    3-3        RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas
    3-4  Legislature hereby congratulate Project ARISE director Sister
    3-5  Gerrie Naughton and the program's many dedicated participants and
    3-6  volunteers on their receipt of a Best of Texas designation in
    3-7  recognition of their outstanding efforts in securing a brighter
    3-8  future for residents of the Las Milpas colonias; and, be it further
    3-9        RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
   3-10  prepared for Project ARISE as an expression of highest regard by
   3-11  the Texas House of Representatives.