79R17014 MW-F

By:  Quintanilla                                                  H.R. No. 1733



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The Sparks Housing Development Corporation was 
incorporated on March 28, 1990, with the goal of advancing human 
rights and social justice in the Sparks colonia and its surrounding 
areas by mobilizing residents to bring innovative advocacy 
solutions for basic utility and infrastructure services; and
	WHEREAS, Sparks has a population of more than 3,500 residents 
and is located in El Paso County on a desert escarpment a mile 
outside the El Paso city limits and 10 miles to the north of the Rio 
Grande along the U.S. and Mexico border; and
	WHEREAS, Founding members of the Sparks Housing Development 
Corporation challenged and won a property tax case in the late 1980s 
that would have otherwise displaced hundreds of families and 
property owners in Sparks because of delinquent property taxes 
neglected by a private developer; and
	WHEREAS, The Sparks Housing Development Corporation is a 
501(c)(3) nonprofit, community-based organization with a mission 
to better the health and well-being of children and families 
residing in the Sparks colonia and its surrounding areas by acting 
as a grassroots social advocate that provides and promotes programs 
for infrastructure and housing rehabilitation, new affordable 
housing construction, educational opportunities, social and human 
services, medical attention, and health education; and
	WHEREAS, The vision of the Sparks Housing Development 
Corporation is to create a movement that will build assets for 
colonia families and their children in order for them to reach their 
full potential to become self-sufficient; and
	WHEREAS, Solutions devised by the organization have helped 
build community assets through advocating for the implementation of 
electricity, water/wastewater systems, and natural gas services 
for more than 1,000 families, the construction and rehabilitation 
of 16 homes, the development of a community center, the 
construction of an eight-unit multi-family rental, and the 
establishment of the first technology center and mini-library in 
Sparks; and
	WHEREAS, The Sparks Housing Development Corporation offers 
programs in early childhood development, arts and crafts, computer 
literacy, after-school tutoring, commodities distribution, 
financial literacy, leadership development, and counseling; it 
also provides ESL and GED classes, senior programs, and medical 
services; and
	WHEREAS, Committed to excellence and with a clear vision and 
a passion for delivering outstanding results, the Sparks Housing 
Development Corporation has demonstrated that community-based 
programs that are developed and managed by a community for a 
community can make a striking impact on those they serve; now, 
therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature hereby recognize the Sparks Housing Development 
Corporation for continuing to serve as an advocate for improved 
provision of public services in the area and extend best wishes for 
continued success to all those involved in this worthwhile 
endeavor.