79R8842 BJM-D

By:  Raymond                                                      H.R. No. 726



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Communities in Schools (CIS) of Laredo celebrates 15 
years of exceptional service in 2005, providing a fitting 
opportunity to salute this remarkable organization and its success 
in helping at-risk students and their families; and
	WHEREAS, Introduced to local community leaders in 1990 by 
Gary G. Jacobs and Maria Deutsch, the program gained the support of 
the Laredo and United Independent School Districts, and the 
organization opened its first offices at two high school campuses 
the following year; shortly thereafter, the program obtained 
funding from the D. D. Hachar Foundation to expand into two middle 
schools, and it has continued to grow in the ensuing years; and
	WHEREAS, Today, under the exemplary leadership of executive 
director Jose Luis Gutierrez and a dedicated board of directors, 
CIS-Laredo ably serves three middle, one elementary, two 
alternative, and eight high schools in a total of five independent 
school districts throughout Jim Hogg, Webb, and Zapata Counties; 
and
	WHEREAS, Since its inception, CIS-Laredo has excelled in 
fulfilling its important goal of building partnerships with 
schools, law enforcement agencies, businesses, social service 
organizations, civic groups, and health providers to help young 
people stay in school and provide them with an array of benefits, 
including scholarships, job preparation, leadership training, and 
mentoring; and
	WHEREAS, The efforts of all those involved with this notable 
organization have helped countless youth acquire the skills 
necessary to build productive and happy futures, and it is indeed a 
pleasure to honor them at this time; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature hereby congratulate Communities in Schools of Laredo on 
its 15th anniversary and commend all those individuals associated 
with the program for their outstanding service to the leaders of 
tomorrow; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for the organization as an expression of high regard by the 
Texas House of Representatives.