1-1 1 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 1097 1-3 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is proud to 1-4 recognize the outstanding accomplishments of the Aldine Youth 1-5 Organization United To Help (Y.O.U.T.H.); the organization's 1-6 proactive approach to helping its area's disadvantaged young 1-7 people is truly laudable; and 1-8 WHEREAS, The Houston Aldine Community spans a two-mile 1-9 radius and encompasses seven schools, eight subdivisions, and 1-10 eight apartment dwellings; more than 65 percent of students in 1-11 this area are economically disadvantaged; and 1-12 WHEREAS, Though many young persons in the Aldine area have 1-13 a strong desire to succeed, certain elements in the community 1-14 undermine their progress; numerous area young people who lack 1-15 motivation and direction set a negative example, while graffiti, 1-16 which abounds on area walls and fences, does little to boost civic 1-17 pride and sense of community; Aldine Youth Organization United To 1-18 Help seeks to counter such influences; and 1-19 WHEREAS, This nonprofit, grassroots youth organization was 1-20 incorporated in 1990; at that time, the organization had an almost 1-21 nonexistent budget and no facilities; however, in 1995, a $50,000 2-1 grant allowed it to make a down payment on a Community Center; to 2-2 this day, the fiscal health of Aldine Youth Organization United To 2-3 Help is solely attributed to the generous donations of private 2-4 individuals and entities; and 2-5 WHEREAS, The organization's mission is to provide a program 2-6 of educational, social, vocational, and recreational activities 2-7 for young people ages eight to 18; additionally, the organization 2-8 promotes family involvement and civic pride; and 2-9 WHEREAS, Above all, Aldine Youth Organization United To 2-10 Help seeks to encourage personal and social responsibility in all 2-11 young persons in the community; it hopes to ensure their development 2-12 into productive, healthy, and self-sufficient members of society; 2-13 and 2-14 WHEREAS, This successful organization now boasts a membership 2-15 of over 500 parents, young people, and other community residents; 2-16 the broad scope of the program's membership provides young people 2-17 with a multicultural and intergenerational support network; and 2-18 WHEREAS, Aldine Youth Organization United To Help's many 2-19 awards bespeak its success; the program's Executive Director and 2-20 Founder, Sylvia Bolling, was featured in the August, 1991, issue 2-21 of Woman's Day magazine and has won many prestigious awards for 2-22 her work; in 1995, the program was named one of the "Best of Texas" 2-23 programs by the Corporate Fund for Children, and in 1996, it 2-24 received the Washington Times Foundation National Service Award; and 3-1 WHEREAS, The positive change the Aldine Youth Organization 3-2 United To Help has made in the lives of many young Texans is 3-3 indeed worthy of the utmost praise; even more commendable, the 3-4 program has drawn together diverse elements in an at-risk 3-5 community to promote achievement and civic pride; now, therefore, 3-6 be it 3-7 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 3-8 76th Legislature, hereby honor the worthy purpose and outstanding 3-9 work that the Aldine Youth Organization United To Help has made in 3-10 its community and extend best wishes for continued success in the 3-11 new century; and, be it further 3-12 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 3-13 this esteemed organization as an expression of high regard from the 3-14 Texas Senate. 3-15 Gallegos 3-16 ______________________________________ 3-17 President of the Senate 3-18 I hereby certify that the above 3-19 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 3-20 on May 25, 1999. 3-21 ______________________________________ 3-22 Secretary of the Senate 3-23 ______________________________________ 3-24 Member, Texas Senate