By Swinford                                            H.R. No. 463

         75R8967 JTR-D                           

                                 R E S O L U T I O N

 1-1           WHEREAS, On Valentine's Day, 1997, 200 Dumas teenagers

 1-2     committed themselves to the principles of the national "True Love

 1-3     Waits" program by pledging to abstain from sex until marriage, and

 1-4     this remarkable effort is truly worthy of special recognition; and

 1-5           WHEREAS, Designed to encourage sexual abstinence among young

 1-6     people, the "True Love Waits" program offers its participants an

 1-7     opportunity to counteract the popular image of teenagers as

 1-8     undisciplined and promiscuous, and by signing pledge cards to be

 1-9     displayed in their schools, they proudly affirm their belief in the

1-10     sanctity of holy matrimony; and

1-11           WHEREAS, Although the event was sponsored by local Christian

1-12     organizations, the coordination of the effort came from the

1-13     teenagers themselves, and their initiative and enthusiasm have

1-14     ensured the success of this endeavor; and

1-15           WHEREAS, These public-spirited young people have undertaken

1-16     to lead their friends and fellow students by example, and by using

1-17     the power of peer pressure in a positive fashion, they hope to win

1-18     others over to their worthwhile cause; and

1-19           WHEREAS, In pledging to abstain from sexual intercourse

1-20     outside of wedlock, these teenagers have demonstrated themselves to

1-21     be responsible citizens who understand the social and cultural

1-22     importance of the institution of marriage, and it is indeed fitting

1-23     at this time to recognize them for their maturity and dedication;

1-24     now, therefore, be it

 2-1           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas

 2-2     Legislature hereby recognize the 200 Dumas teenagers participating

 2-3     in the "True Love Waits" program and extend to them sincere best

 2-4     wishes for continued success and happiness in the years to come.