By: Haywood S.R. No. 295 1-1 1 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION 1-3 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas takes pride in 1-4 joining Cooke County Friends of the Family in promoting recognition 1-5 of April, 1997, as Sexual Assault Awareness Month; and 1-6 WHEREAS, The movement against sexual violence began nearly 1-7 30 years ago with the "speak outs," when victims of sexual violence 1-8 first broke their silence; this year, during the month of April, 1-9 sexual assault programs throughout the state will be intensifying 1-10 efforts to promote public understanding of sexual violence and of 1-11 victims of sexual violence; and 1-12 WHEREAS, Sexual assault programs will be working to 1-13 publicize their services, increase community support for their 1-14 projects, and increase awareness of the healing process for 1-15 survivors, especially children; and 1-16 WHEREAS, The theme for this year's Sexual Assault Awareness 1-17 Month is "Strong Voices Confront Sexual Violence"; sexual assault 1-18 programs will be emphasizing the need for citizen involvement in 1-19 efforts to reduce sexual assault through public education and 1-20 changing public attitudes; and 1-21 WHEREAS, A number of professionals and nonviolence 1-22 advocates have joined together to form the Texas Association 1-23 Against Sexual Assault in order to provide Texans with a central 2-1 source of information on sexual assault; and 2-2 WHEREAS, Thousands of volunteers across the state work 2-3 daily to staff 24-hour hotlines, respond to emergency calls, and 2-4 offer support and comfort during medical exams and criminal justice 2-5 proceedings; educational programs are offered to churches, schools, 2-6 and civic organizations, and professional training is provided to 2-7 law enforcement and criminal justice personnel; and 2-8 WHEREAS, The designation of April as Sexual Assault 2-9 Awareness Month provides an opportunity to increase community 2-10 awareness of crime victims' rights, sexual assault issues, the 2-11 tremendous difficulties faced by survivors of sexual assault, 2-12 and the high-quality sexual assault programs that are available 2-13 in our state; now, therefore, be it 2-14 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 2-15 75th Legislature, hereby commend the citizens of Texas who 2-16 participate in programs that provide support and assistance to 2-17 the victims of sexual assault and encourage all Texans to 2-18 recognize the month of April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month; 2-19 and, be it further 2-20 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared 2-21 for the Cooke County Friends of the Family as an expression of 2-22 appreciation for its participation in Sexual Assault Awareness 2-23 Month. 2-24 ______________________________________ 2-25 President of the Senate 2-26 I hereby certify that the above 2-27 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 3-1 on March 10, 1997. 3-2 ______________________________________ 3-3 Secretary of the Senate 3-4 ______________________________________ 3-5 Member, Texas Senate