By Stiles                                              H.R. No. 987

         75R15713 JTR-D                           

                                 R E S O L U T I O N

 1-1           WHEREAS, The South East Texas Foster Grandparent Program

 1-2     (SETFGP) has established itself as one of the state's most

 1-3     successful volunteer efforts, and this great asset to the community

 1-4     is truly worthy of special praise and recognition; and

 1-5           WHEREAS, Designed to bring together senior citizens and

 1-6     children with special needs in mutually beneficial relationships,

 1-7     SETFGP began in January 1989 and is the first program of its type

 1-8     in the nation to focus on at-risk youth, and countless Texans have

 1-9     benefited from this innovative approach since its inception; and

1-10           WHEREAS, The program was set in motion by James "Bubba"

1-11     Martin of Jefferson County Juvenile Probation and Joyce Philen of

1-12     the South East Texas Area Agency on Aging, and their drive and

1-13     dedication have been essential to the venture's ongoing success;

1-14     and

1-15           WHEREAS, Ultimately, the many accomplishments of SETFGP rest

1-16     on the commendable commitment of its able volunteers, and in the

1-17     program's first five years alone, foster grandparents donated more

1-18     than 200,000 hours of their time to this worthy endeavor; and

1-19           WHEREAS, By encouraging older Texans to share their

1-20     compassion, wisdom, and experience with those young people most in

1-21     need of these precious gifts, SETFGP has brought about a new and

1-22     necessary means of addressing the needs of at-risk youth, and it is

1-23     indeed fitting at this time to acknowledge this exemplary program;

1-24     now, therefore, be it

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

 2-2     Legislature hereby recognize the South East Texas Foster

 2-3     Grandparent Program and extend to all those involved in the program

 2-4     sincere best wishes for continued success in the years to come.