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.