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