By:  Barrientos                                        S.R. No. 239

 1-1     By:  Barrientos                                        S.R. No. 239

 1-2                              SENATE RESOLUTION

 1-3           WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to

 1-4     recognize the students and counselors of Mendez Middle School who

 1-5     are visiting the State Capitol on March 4, 1997; and

 1-6           WHEREAS, The 11 seventh graders are members of the Peer

 1-7     Mediation Program at Mendez Middle School, and they were selected by

 1-8     their teachers and counselors to be a part of the program because of

 1-9     the leadership qualities they exhibited at school and the respect

1-10     shown them by their classmates; and

1-11           WHEREAS, The students have undergone extensive training to

1-12     become peer mediators by attending special classes once a week at

1-13     7:00 a.m. to learn about the process of mediation and negotiation;

1-14     they learned how to resolve crisis situations fairly and impartially

1-15     among students; and

1-16           WHEREAS, As peer mediators, their purpose is to assist fellow

1-17     students in reaching solutions to problems that occur both in and

1-18     out of school without having to resort to violence; and

1-19           WHEREAS, These young men and women have chosen to make a

1-20     difference in the lives of their schoolmates by helping those who

1-21     have problems seek a peaceful alternative for working out their

1-22     disagreements; and

1-23           WHEREAS, Counselors Marilyn Rangel and Nancy Lewis who attend

 2-1     and assist with the class are inspirational teachers and splendid

 2-2     examples of people who care; through the combined efforts of these

 2-3     teachers and students Mendez Middle School is a better and safer

 2-4     place to learn; and

 2-5           WHEREAS, The Texas Senate extends a warm welcome to counselors

 2-6     Marilyn Rangel and Nancy Lewis and peer mediators Stephanie Bradford,

 2-7     Sarah Forhetz, Ashley Gutierrez, Jonathan Jimenez, Alejandro Marquez,

 2-8     Mindy Marshall, Marisa Menchaca, Tarell Perry, Quinton Robinson,

 2-9     Austin Scott, and Adan Zavala; now, therefore, be it

2-10           RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,

2-11     75th Legislature, hereby commend the peer mediators at Mendez Middle

2-12     School and their counselors for their courage and dedication and for

2-13     their outstanding contributions to their school and their community;

2-14     and, be it further

2-15           RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for the

2-16     distinguished group as an expression of the appreciation and high

2-17     regard of the Texas Senate.

2-18                                  ______________________________________

2-19                                          President of the Senate

2-20                                       I hereby certify that the above

2-21                                  Resolution was adopted by the Senate

2-22                                  on February 25, 1997.

2-23                                  ______________________________________

2-24                                          Secretary of the Senate

2-25                                  ______________________________________

2-26                                           Member, Texas Senate