By Greenberg                                           H.R. No. 524
         76R4229 MDM-D                           
                                 R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, The United Way/Capital Area marks a historic
 1-2     milestone in January 1999, as it commemorates 75 years  of
 1-3     assisting Central Texas residents, and it is appropriate that the
 1-4     members of this chamber recognize this worthy organization; and
 1-5           WHEREAS,  On January 17, 1924, a group of Austin residents
 1-6     gathered to discuss forming a coalition of social agencies that
 1-7     would assist area residents in meeting their basic needs, and from
 1-8     that meeting, the Central Council of Social Agencies (CCSA) was
 1-9     created; it later was known as the Community Chest of Austin,
1-10     United Fund, and, finally, United Way/Capital Area; and
1-11           WHEREAS, United Way/Capital Area acts as an umbrella
1-12     organization to 48 nonprofit partner agencies that provide vital
1-13     health and human services to the citizens of Central Texas;
1-14     specialized services designed to fulfill community needs include
1-15     First Call for Help, the Volunteer Center, the Nonprofit Management
1-16     Assistance Program, and Blueprint for Board Members; and
1-17           WHEREAS, United Way/Capital Area serves as the conduit that
1-18     brings together  corporate, government, religious, educational, and
1-19     nonprofit entities to address health and human service needs, and
1-20     thousands of volunteers have devoted countless hours to ensure
1-21     availability and accessibility of services; and
1-22           WHEREAS, More than 700 companies in the region participate
1-23     in workplace fund-raising campaigns in conjunction with United Way,
1-24     and service projects designed to help others, such as the annual
 2-1     Day of Caring event in August, draw record-breaking crews of
 2-2     volunteers as well as the support of local employers; and
 2-3           WHEREAS, Other nonprofit groups in Central Texas that are not
 2-4     affiliated with United Way/Capital Area  have benefited nonetheless
 2-5     as a result of the association's expertise in workplace
 2-6     fund-raising; its history-making pledge campaigns of the past two
 2-7     years have positioned the organization as one of the most
 2-8     successful United Way branches in the country, which in turn, has
 2-9     further enhanced the positive image of the city of Austin; and
2-10           WHEREAS, Located on East Martin Luther King, Jr., Boulevard
2-11     for the past 15 years, this association has contributed to the
2-12     economic development and growth of east Austin by reinvesting the
2-13     majority of its contributions in the local community, and its low
2-14     administrative costs enable it to remain a fiscally responsible
2-15     agent; and
2-16           WHEREAS, For three-quarters of a century, the mission of
2-17     United Way/Capital Area has been to operate responsively, invest
2-18     resources wisely, and demonstrate efforts that are measurable and
2-19     effective, and in doing so, this association has been of great
2-20     benefit to countless Texans; now, therefore, be it
2-21           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas
2-22     Legislature hereby commend United Way/Capital Area for 75 years of
2-23     leadership in charitable endeavors in the Central Texas area and
2-24     extend to the organization's staff, board of directors, and
2-25     volunteers warmest wishes for many more years of continued success;
2-26     and, be it further
2-27           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
 3-1     prepared for United Way/Capital Area as an expression of high
 3-2     regard by the  Texas House of Representatives.