SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 19

	WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to 
recognize Texans Can! academies on the occasion of the 20th 
anniversary of the founding of the first school in Dallas; and
	WHEREAS, The Dallas Can! Academy was originally created
in 1985 to provide juvenile offenders with remedial education 
that would allow them to earn General Educational Development 
certificates; after 10 years of positive results, however, 
Texans Can! was born, and the program was expanded to provide high
school dropouts and others at risk of dropping out of school a 
second chance at earning a high school diploma; and
	WHEREAS, The Texans Can! programs are now located 
throughout the state, and expansion efforts are under way in
several cities across the country; academies in Texas include 
those in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, and
at Carrollton/Farmers Branch; the Texans Can! academies operate 
as public charter schools that are certified and accredited to 
award high school and general equivalency diplomas; and
	WHEREAS, Students attend Texans Can! academies on a volunteer
basis and receive focused attention in an environment conducive 
to learning; in 2004, more than 6,000 students were enrolled in 
Texans Can! academies, and more than 1,500 seniors graduated with 
about 67 percent of them going on to higher education; and
	WHEREAS, The Texans Can! academies have changed the
lives of over 30,000 at-risk youths; because of the programs' 
outstanding leaders, educators, and counselors, the Texans Can! 
academies have helped many young people stay in school, prepare 
for a better life, and contribute to their communities; now, 
therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
79th Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby commend all who
are involved with the Texans Can! academies for their work on 
behalf of the young people in this state and extend to them 
congratulations on the 20th anniversary of the founding school; 
and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared
for Texans Can! academies as an expression of esteem from the 
Texas Senate.
                                                                         Shapiro




________________________________ 
    President of the Senate
 
    I hereby certify that the 
above Resolution was adopted by 
the Senate on June 27, 2005.



________________________________ 
    Secretary of the Senate



________________________________ 
     Member, Texas Senate