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H.R. No. 338
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Organizations and individuals that come to the aid
of others in a time of need exemplify the noblest qualities of the
human spirit; and
WHEREAS, The Quality Inn of Denton housed more than 800
people in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, letting
evacuees' immediate needs take precedence over usual business
concerns; and
WHEREAS, Stepping into the breach as soon as the crisis in New
Orleans became evident, the senior staff at Choice Hotels (the
parent company of the Quality Inn franchise) and Shivom Hotels
(owner of the Denton property) opened the Denton Quality Inn to
those fleeing Hurricane Katrina; though parts of the property had
previously been closed for renovation, the staff worked feverishly
to make all rooms available for the evacuees and underwrote all
necessary expenses to meet that goal; and
WHEREAS, Senior staff associated with the Quality Inn did an
exceptional job of meeting the demands of this high-pressure
situation; key organizers at the outset were Cara Leising of the
consulting firm, NHM, Inc., and hotel general manager, Viral
Thakkar; their efforts were matched by the rest of the staff in
Denton, all of whom invested significant time and effort to create a
safe, family-friendly haven for the storm victims; and
WHEREAS, The assistance offered at the Quality Inn quickly
became a community effort; the area's religious institutions,
coordinated through Interfaith Ministries of Denton, were
instrumental in keeping the hotel relief effort operating smoothly;
no fewer than 37 churches contributed to the cause, with several
places of worship deserving special recognition: Singing Oaks
Church of Christ, which coordinated the overall operation and
distributed food and clothing to meet the immediate needs of the
evacuees, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and Saint Mark
Catholic Church, which combined forces to direct the computer
center that was set up in the hotel to assist the storm victims, and
First Christian Church, which established and staffed the
"mini-mall" that provided clothing, medicine, household goods, and
other items, all at no charge; and
WHEREAS, The outpouring of compassion and assistance from the
residents of the Denton area was truly stunning; among those who
gave of their time and resources were Cumberland Children's Home,
the City of Denton, the Denton Benefit League, the Denton
Convention and Visitor Bureau, county judge Mary Horn of Denton
County, Denton High School cosmetology students, the Denton Vintage
Jazz Society, the Denton Kiwanis Club, Eagle Transmission, Geeks on
Wheels, the Greater Denton Arts Council, Home Depot, Maids of
America, McBride Music and Pawn Shop, Morrison Mills, Robson Ranch
retirement community, Sally Beauty Supply, the Texas Woman's
University Dental Hygiene Program, United Way of Denton County, the
University of North Texas, Denton Housing Authority, McDonald's,
Burger King, Denton ISD, Denton Sheriff's Department, Denton Police
Department, Denton SPCA, Denton Chiropractic Association, WIC,
Veterans Administration, Candy Haven, Texas Workforce Commission,
Angel Flight, Wells Fargo, Denton County Health Department,
Brunswick Bowling Alley, and more; and
WHEREAS, This caring coalition worked together to provide the
storm victims with as many of the comforts of home as possible,
while also seeing that essential services such as medical care and
education were made available; a study hall staffed by tutors was
established in the hotel, and volunteers assisted children in
adjusting to their new schools; moreover, all of these services
were continued for more than three months after Katrina struck,
during which time evacuees from Hurricane Rita arrived at the hotel
and received the same warm welcome; and
WHEREAS, In the midst of so much sadness and destruction, the
Quality Inn became an inspiring refuge that in many ways, large and
small, helped the victims of the natural disasters to begin the
process of recovery; though it was never designated an official
hurricane shelter, the hotel became the proverbial "shelter from
the storm" for hundreds of Americans in dire circumstances, and the
help rendered to them by the hotel employees and the fine citizens
of Denton is an inspiration to us all; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas
Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby honor the management and
staff of the Quality Inn of Denton and all of the other individuals
and organizations in that community who assisted victims of
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and extend to them sincere praise for a
job well done; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for hotel personnel as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.
Crownover
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 338 was adopted by the House on May
10, 2006, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House