R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is proud to 1-2 recognize members of the Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) Program 1-3 Youth Leadership Committee on the occasion of their visit to the 1-4 State Capitol; and 1-5 WHEREAS, These motivated young adults, ages 16 through 20, 1-6 are current or former foster care recipients who are visiting 1-7 Austin to learn more about the legislative process and to advocate 1-8 for children in foster care; and 1-9 WHEREAS, Sponsored by the Department of Protective and 1-10 Regulatory Services, the committee members serve as an important 1-11 voice for Texas youth in foster care, and they represent schools 1-12 serving each of the 11 regions of Texas: Amarillo, Wichita Falls, 1-13 Fort Worth, Avinger, Beaumont, Spring, Austin, San Antonio, 1-14 Midland, El Paso, and Corpus Christi; and 1-15 WHEREAS, These caring young people play a significant role in 1-16 reviewing policies that affect children in foster care and propose 1-17 initiatives to improve the system; the committee is coordinated by 1-18 a youth specialist, also a former recipient of foster care, who 1-19 works with the state's protective and regulatory services 1-20 department; and 1-21 WHEREAS, In 1998, testimony from members was instrumental in 1-22 bringing about a change in the Texas Administrative Code to provide 1-23 for up to 3-1/2 months of state-paid foster care assistance for 1-24 certain youth to bridge the time between high school graduation 2-1 and the fall semester of college or vocational school; another 2-2 objective was realized by panel members when their feedback 2-3 inspired adoption of a policy that ensures the privacy of youth's 2-4 mail and telephone correspondence at child-care facilities; and 2-5 WHEREAS, The committee is currently working with Texas State 2-6 Foster Parents, Inc., the Texas Association of Licensed Children's 2-7 Services, and Child Protective Services (CPS) to create and 2-8 implement a procedure for youth to evaluate foster parents, 2-9 placements, and CPS two months after leaving a placement; and 2-10 WHEREAS, The members of the PAL Program Youth Leadership 2-11 Committee are dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for 2-12 foster children in the Lone Star State, and they are truly worthy 2-13 of special legislative recognition for their efforts at this time; 2-14 now, therefore, be it 2-15 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas 2-16 Legislature hereby commend members of the Preparation for Adult 2-17 Living Program Youth Leadership Committee for their significant 2-18 achievements and extend to them warmest best wishes for continued 2-19 success and happiness; and, be it further 2-20 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-21 prepared for the PAL Program Youth Leadership Committee as an 2-22 expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Pickett _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 530 was adopted by the House on March 29, 1999, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House