1-1 1 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 858 1-3 WHEREAS, It is indeed a special privilege for the Texas Senate 1-4 to recognize Georgia Baca for her magnificent work in caring for 1-5 children and adults over the past 20 years; and 1-6 WHEREAS, A native of Champaign/Urbana, Illinois, Georgia Baca 1-7 was a bank officer for American Bank of Commerce until 1974; she 1-8 married Gilberto O. Baca in June of 1976 and within three months, 1-9 the couple had two abandoned children living with them in a 1-10 one-bedroom apartment; and 1-11 WHEREAS, A truly remarkable couple, Mr. and Mrs. Baca founded 1-12 the House of Cornelius in Fabens, Texas, in 1976, and the operation 1-13 has grown tremendously through the years with the assistance of 1-14 dedicated volunteers; and 1-15 WHEREAS, Already working with children in the Fabens area, 1-16 the compassionate couple envisioned building a place for children 1-17 who were in need of a loving home; and 1-18 WHEREAS, Operating on the belief that every child is born 1-19 with the potential to lead a productive, loving life, the House of 1-20 Cornelius attempts to revive that potential in children or adults 1-21 who have suffered from neglect, abuse, or other circumstances that 1-22 interfere with their ability to realize this goal; and 1-23 WHEREAS, By 1978, Georgia and Buddy Baca had pulled a house 2-1 trailer onto their 25 acres of land that they shared with another 2-2 couple, and plans to expand the House of Cornelius were laid; today 2-3 the facility consists of the Buddy Baca Learning Center; Muzzy Hall, 2-4 the main building; and two dormitories that house over 30 people at 2-5 different times; and 2-6 WHEREAS, The entire complex has been built by volunteers and 2-7 people offering their services and time; everything has been built 2-8 with available supplies and funds so that nothing is owed on the 2-9 property; and 2-10 WHEREAS, The success of the House of Cornelius can be 2-11 attributed to volunteers from all parts of the United States and 2-12 from other countries who contribute their time and resources; it 2-13 is solely supported by the private donations of individuals and 2-14 churches; and 2-15 WHEREAS, Over 300 children have benefitted from the nurturing 2-16 care at the House of Cornelius and have gone on to achieve in 2-17 public school and in college; the 4,000 square-foot school provides 2-18 instruction for children from the home as well as other children on 2-19 a year-round basis; and 2-20 WHEREAS, The House of Cornelius has received recognition 2-21 for its valuable service to the citizens of El Paso from various 2-22 organizations; it has been given an Appreciation Certificate from 2-23 the El Paso County Home School Community Partnership, S.W. Educational 2-24 Development Lab, and the Exchange Club Book of Golden Deeds awards; 2-25 it has also been commended by the United States Army Air Defense 3-1 Center and Fort Bliss, Chaplains Division; now, therefore, be it 3-2 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 3-3 75th Legislature, hereby express its deepest gratitude to 3-4 Georgia Baca for her exceptional accomplishments in providing a 3-5 safe and secure environment for children and adults at the House 3-6 of Cornelius; and, be it further 3-7 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 3-8 this distinguished lady as an expression of the high regard of 3-9 the Texas Senate. 3-10 Shapleigh 3-11 ______________________________________ 3-12 President of the Senate 3-13 I hereby certify that the above 3-14 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 3-15 on May 24, 1997. 3-16 ______________________________________ 3-17 Secretary of the Senate 3-18 ______________________________________ 3-19 Member, Texas Senate