H.R. No. 315



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Each year, family violence takes the lives of more 
than 100 women in our state and forces tens of thousands of children 
and adults to flee from abusive homes; nearly three-quarters of all 
Texans have experienced, or know at least one friend or relative who 
has experienced, some form of domestic violence; even more 
shockingly, 31 percent of Texans have been severely abused, either 
physically or sexually, at some point during their lives; and
	WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is honored to 
join with the Texas Council on Family Violence in recognizing 
October 2003 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, an initiative of 
national scope that pays tribute to the lives of women who have been 
murdered by partners, husbands, or ex-partners; this endeavor has 
helped many citizens to better recognize the signs of domestic 
abuse, one of the most pervasive and underreported crimes in the 
Lone Star State, and to help those in danger to find shelter; and
	WHEREAS, Family violence threatens the very fabric of 
society, continuing a cycle of violent crime that affects every 
member of the community; in recent decades our state has made great 
strides in recognizing, preventing, and prosecuting incidents of 
domestic violence, but future progress can be ensured only through 
the continued efforts of the many courageous citizens who have 
committed their time and resources toward making Texas a safer 
place for all its residents; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby recognize October 2003 as 
Domestic Violence Awareness Month and encourage all citizens of the 
Lone Star State to learn how to recognize and prevent domestic 
violence in their local communities.

                                                                          Farrar

                                                  ______________________________
                                                       Speaker of the House     

	I certify that H.R. No. 315 was adopted by the House on 
October 10, 2003, by a non-record vote.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House