1-1 ****** NEED TWO-PAGE HEADER ****** 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 631 1-3 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is proud to 1-4 recognize Child Abuse Awareness Month and to honor the Garth 1-5 House, Mickey Mehaffy Children's Advocacy Program, Incorporated, 1-6 of Beaumont, Texas, for the vital work it does on behalf of the 1-7 children of Texas; and 1-8 WHEREAS, Ten years ago, the Garth House was established 1-9 to provide physically and sexually abused children in Southeast 1-10 Texas with a safe, nonthreatening, and secure environment in 1-11 which to tell their stories; and 1-12 WHEREAS, Named in honor of former Jefferson County Assistant 1-13 District Attorney Mickey Mehaffy, the Garth House recognizes her 1-14 tremendous efforts to positively influence the lives of Southeast 1-15 Texas children; and 1-16 WHEREAS, Almost 4,000 children and their families have been 1-17 assisted by the Garth House since its opening; in addition to 1-18 providing children with a safe haven, the facility also offers 1-19 counseling services to those abused and their nonoffending 1-20 family members; and 1-21 WHEREAS, Dedicated to breaking the cycle of child abuse 1-22 one child at a time, the Garth House will continue its mission 2-1 as an independent entity beginning April 2, 2001; and 2-2 WHEREAS, Texas has a vital interest and a moral obligation 2-3 to help those children who are physically and sexually abused, 2-4 and institutions like Garth House are an integral part of this 2-5 critical mission; now, therefore, be it 2-6 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 2-7 77th Legislature, hereby commend and applaud Garth House for 2-8 its 10 years of dedication to the children of Southeast Texas 2-9 with all best wishes for continued success as an independent 2-10 organization; and, be it further 2-11 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared 2-12 for Garth House, Mickey Mehaffy Children's Advocacy Program, 2-13 Incorporated, as a token of esteem and high regard from the 2-14 Texas Senate. 2-15 Bernsen 2-16 ______________________________________ 2-17 President of the Senate 2-18 I hereby certify that the above 2-19 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 2-20 on April 2, 2001. 2-21 ______________________________________ 2-22 Secretary of the Senate 2-23 ______________________________________ 2-24 Member, Texas Senate