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79R10216 KO-D

By:  Chavez                                                       H.R. No. 874



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, In observance of Fair Housing Month, the Border Fair 
Housing and Economic Justice Center (BFHC) in El Paso is holding its 
2005 Border Fair Housing and Colonia Summit on April 12-14, 
providing an apt opportunity to recognize the important mission of 
this organization; and
	WHEREAS, Founded in 2004 by community leaders who live and 
work in the border region with support from the U.S. Department of 
Housing and Urban Development Fair Housing Initiatives Program 
(FHIP) and the National Community Reinvestment Coalition, the BFHC 
is a private, nonprofit civil rights organization dedicated to 
advocating for and implementing fair housing practices in the 
colonias and border communities; the first FHIP in El Paso, it is 
the only such organization along the U.S.-Mexico border serving 
both Texas and New Mexico; and
	WHEREAS, The center was established in response to evidence 
of predatory and discriminatory practices for potential home buyers 
in the region; studies showed that women and Hispanics in the 
colonias and border areas were particularly vulnerable to lending 
companies who take advantage of low-income residents; the BFHC is 
committed to the goals of equal access to credit, the development of 
decent and affordable housing, community development, the 
expansion of small business opportunities, and economic justice; 
and
	WHEREAS, Thirty-seven years ago, the federal Fair Housing Act 
was passed to prohibit discrimination in the sale, rental, and 
financing of dwellings on the basis of race, color, national 
origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability, and the BFHC 
has taken on the challenge of ensuring compliance with federal, 
state, and local laws; to that end, the center is educating citizens 
about their rights as borrowers through consumer outreach programs, 
testing to uncover potential housing discrimination, processing 
complaints about unfair practices, and pursuing legal action 
against lenders who may be breaking the law; and
	WHEREAS, All Americans are entitled to equitable and 
affordable housing opportunities, and the Border Fair Housing and 
Economic Justice Center in El Paso is making sure that Texans in the 
borderlands share in that important right; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature hereby recognize the Border Fair Housing and Economic 
Justice Center during Fair Housing Month in April and extend to all 
those associated with this worthy organization sincere best wishes 
for a productive 2005 Border Fair Housing and Colonia Summit and for 
continued success with their important work; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for the center as an expression of high regard by the Texas 
House of Representatives.