H.R. No. 749 R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The Colonia Children's Self-Development Project of 1-2 the Border Association for Refugees from Central America (BARCA) 1-3 was recently selected as one of the Best of Texas programs for 1995 1-4 by the Corporate Fund for Children, and this special recognition is 1-5 indeed well deserved; 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 cultural diversity, and be model 1-12 programs that other communities can emulate; and 1-13 WHEREAS, BARCA strives to enhance the quality of life in 17 1-14 colonias in the Lower Rio Grande Valley and to foster a greater 1-15 sense of community among local residents by providing them with the 1-16 tools they need to achieve higher educational and financial levels 1-17 and to strengthen overall family relationships; and 1-18 WHEREAS, To this end, area volunteers visit women in their 1-19 homes to deliver important information on a wide variety of issues 1-20 affecting women and their families, ranging from general health 1-21 topics, such as breast cancer, to the discussion of complex legal 1-22 matters, such as housing contracts and deeds; and 1-23 WHEREAS, The group provides educational programs for children 1-24 and adolescents between the ages of four and 18 and conducts an 2-1 exciting Spring Break event each year that introduces children to 2-2 such important skills as cooking and nutrition, which in turn helps 2-3 to enhance their overall well-being and self-esteem; the programs 2-4 are intentionally scheduled during breaks from the regular public 2-5 school schedule to provide area children with constructive 2-6 recreational outlets for their spare time; and 2-7 WHEREAS, One of BARCA's most successful programs to date has 2-8 been the Borderview Children's Art Project, a cooperative effort 2-9 with the Cultural Center for Hispanic Arts, which introduced nearly 2-10 50 children from the Balboa/Borderview colonia to Norma Adame, a 2-11 Mexican artist who discussed art as a career and reviewed the 2-12 children's artwork; and 2-13 WHEREAS, To achieve its mission, BARCA enlists volunteers 2-14 from the community and receives financial support from a number of 2-15 foundations, as well as in-kind donations from several benefactors 2-16 in McAllen and Mission, including Carl's Grocery Company, the Rio 2-17 Grande Valley Food Bank, McDonald's, Dick Office Supply, and a 2-18 number of private individuals; and 2-19 WHEREAS, In receiving this honor, BARCA joins two other 2-20 groups in the Valley who have been designated Best of Texas 2-21 programs this year, Planned Parenthood of Hidalgo County and 2-22 Project ARISE, a noteworthy accomplishment that can be directly 2-23 attributed to area citizens' sincere concern for the welfare of 2-24 others; now, therefore, be it 2-25 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas 2-26 Legislature hereby congratulate the dedicated members and 2-27 volunteers of the Border Association for Refugees from Central 3-1 America (BARCA) on the group's receipt of a Best of Texas 3-2 designation for its outstanding efforts in behalf of residents of 3-3 colonias; and, be it further 3-4 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 3-5 prepared for BARCA as an expression of highest regard by the Texas 3-6 House of Representatives.