1-1 1 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 517 1-3 In Memory 1-4 of 1-5 Sonya Bemporad 1-6 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins the citizens 1-7 of Dallas, Texas, in mourning the loss of Sonya Bemporad, leading 1-8 child welfare advocate, who died recently at the age of 64; and 1-9 WHEREAS, A Philadelphia native, Sonya earned her bachelor's 1-10 degree from the University of Cincinnati in 1959 and earned a 1-11 master's degree in child development with an emphasis in 1-12 psychology from Sarah Lawrence College; later a member of the 1-13 psychology faculty at Sarah Lawrence, she was head of the child 1-14 development laboratory; and 1-15 WHEREAS, Mrs. Bemporad moved to Dallas when her husband, Jack, 1-16 was selected to replace Rabbi Levi Olan at Temple Emanu-El in 1972; 1-17 she became executive director of Rhoads Terrace Institute of Early 1-18 Childhood Education, which later merged with the Child Care Group; 1-19 and 1-20 WHEREAS, Chief theoretician with the Child Care Group since 1-21 1976, Sonya Bemporad was the institution's senior vice president 1-22 at the time of her death; in the late 1970s, she designed the 1-23 group's well-known Relationship-Centered Child Care approach 1-24 that encourages a small family-like environment and interaction 2-1 with one constant caregiver; and 2-2 WHEREAS, Mrs. Bemporad believed that in order to give 2-3 children a chance at success, they had to have truly fine care 2-4 in their early years which was as much like mothering as 2-5 possible; her beliefs and actions revolutionized child care; and 2-6 WHEREAS, The Child Care Group was named among the top 2-7 child-care providers in the country due to its highly successful 2-8 child-care model in 1992 and 1998; and 2-9 WHEREAS, Last year, the group founded the Sonya Bemporad Chair 2-10 for Relationship-Centered Child Care; and 2-11 WHEREAS, Mrs. Bemporad's plan called for children to be cared 2-12 for in mixed-age groups and for teachers to care for the same 2-13 children from infancy to age three or from age three to age five; 2-14 and 2-15 WHEREAS, Sonya Bemporad had served as a consultant for the 2-16 last 25 years to several child care associations, including the 2-17 Dallas County Child Welfare Agency and the Dallas County Mental 2-18 Health and Mental Retardation Agency; and 2-19 WHEREAS, A member of the American Association of Psychiatric 2-20 Services for Children, Sonya Bemporad was also a member of the 2-21 City of Dallas Health and Human Services Commission, and she was 2-22 the author of many articles on child welfare; and 2-23 WHEREAS, An exemplary and distinguished lady, she was 2-24 respected for her many accomplishments and was a leader in her 2-25 community; and 2-26 WHEREAS, Sonya Bemporad was a devoted wife, mother, and 3-1 grandmother, and she leaves memories which will be treasured 3-2 always by her family and many friends; now, therefore, be it 3-3 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 3-4 76th Legislature, hereby express sincere condolences to the 3-5 family of Sonya Bemporad: her sons, Henry Bemporad and 3-6 Raphael Bemporad; her mother, Pauline Kaufmann; her sisters, 3-7 Donna Feuer and Marie Feuer; her brother, Jeffrey Feuer; and 3-8 her one grandchild; and, be it further 3-9 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for the 3-10 members of her family as an expression of deepest sympathy from 3-11 the Texas Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it 3-12 do so in memory of Sonya Bemporad. 3-13 Ellis 3-14 ______________________________________ 3-15 President of the Senate 3-16 I hereby certify that the above 3-17 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 3-18 on March 29, 1999, by a rising vote. 3-19 ______________________________________ 3-20 Secretary of the Senate 3-21 ______________________________________ 3-22 Member, Texas Senate