By Dutton H.C.R. No. 312 75R16648 BNL-D HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-1 WHEREAS, Throughout the nation, Americans are searching for 1-2 innovative ways to improve our public education system, and some of 1-3 the most successful programs over the past decade have been those 1-4 encouraging community involvement in the schools; and 1-5 WHEREAS, The Help One Student to Succeed (HOSTS) program, 1-6 Communities in Schools, Inc., and numerous partnerships between 1-7 businesses and local schools have proven that the participation of 1-8 concerned adults can have a tremendous impact on students' lives, 1-9 and the expansion of these successful efforts will undoubtedly play 1-10 a key role in our schools' futures; and 1-11 WHEREAS, Legislators could make a unique contribution to this 1-12 process by volunteering to spend one day each year visiting public 1-13 schools in their districts; in addition to sharing their insights 1-14 into democracy and the legislative process, elected officials could 1-15 set a strong example of leadership and public service for our 1-16 state's up-and-coming leaders and for the community at large; and 1-17 WHEREAS, Furthermore, this arrangement would provide an 1-18 opportunity for teachers, parents, and the students themselves to 1-19 articulate their concerns about critical public policy issues, 1-20 enabling lawmakers to hear firsthand about the impact their 1-21 legislation has had on the educational community; and 1-22 WHEREAS, The future of the Lone Star State rests in the hands 1-23 of our young people, and we owe it to them to give them every 1-24 possible educational advantage; by virtue of their elected 2-1 positions, legislators have a special obligation to our state's 2-2 youth, and by dedicating a portion of their time to public schools, 2-3 lawmakers can help to ensure that tomorrow's leaders will be 2-4 prepared to meet the challenges that await them; now, therefore, be 2-5 it 2-6 RESOLVED, That the 75th Legislature of the State of Texas 2-7 hereby designate October 15, 1997, and October 21, 1998, as 2-8 Legislators in Schools Day throughout Texas and encourage all state 2-9 representatives and senators to participate in this worthwhile 2-10 event.