By Dutton H.C.R. No. 284 76R16631 BE-D HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-1 WHEREAS, Throughout the nation, Americans are searching for 1-2 innovative ways to improve our public education system, and some of 1-3 the most successful programs over the past decade have been those 1-4 encouraging community involvement in the schools; and 1-5 WHEREAS, The Help One Student To Succeed (HOSTS) program, 1-6 Communities in Schools, Inc., and numerous partnerships between 1-7 businesses and local schools have proven that the participation of 1-8 concerned adults can have a tremendous impact on students' lives, 1-9 and the expansion of these successful efforts will undoubtedly play 1-10 a key role in our schools' futures; and 1-11 WHEREAS, Legislators could make a unique contribution to this 1-12 process by volunteering to spend one day each year visiting public 1-13 schools in their districts; in addition to sharing their insights 1-14 into democracy and the legislative process, elected officials could 1-15 set a strong example of leadership and public service for our 1-16 state's up-and-coming leaders and for the community at large; and 1-17 WHEREAS, Furthermore, this arrangement would provide an 1-18 opportunity for teachers, parents, and the students themselves to 1-19 articulate their concerns about critical public policy issues, 1-20 enabling lawmakers to hear firsthand about the impact their 1-21 legislation has had on the education community; and 1-22 WHEREAS, The future of the Lone Star State rests in the hands 1-23 of our young people, and we owe them every possible educational 1-24 advantage; by virtue of their elected positions, legislators have a 2-1 special obligation to our state's youth, and by dedicating a 2-2 portion of their time to public schools, lawmakers can help to 2-3 ensure that tomorrow's leaders will be prepared to meet the 2-4 challenges that await them; now, therefore, be it 2-5 RESOLVED, That the 76th Legislature of the State of Texas 2-6 hereby designate October 20, 1999, and October 18, 2000, as 2-7 Legislators in Schools Day throughout Texas and encourage all state 2-8 representatives and senators to participate in this worthwhile 2-9 event.