79R18290 KO-D

By:  Escobar                                                      H.R. No. 1888



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The Texas Association of Addiction Professionals is 
awarding its first John Austin Pena Scholarship at the 
organization's 31st Annual Conference on July 8, 2005; and
	WHEREAS, This scholarship is named for John Austin Pena, the 
beloved son of our esteemed colleague, Representative Aaron Pena; 
John Pena died on May 18, 2001, at the age of 16, and the tragic loss 
of this fine young man inspired his father to dedicate himself, both 
in his personal life and in his role as a state representative, to 
serve as an advocate for better drug addiction services and crime 
victims' rights; and
	WHEREAS, The John Austin Pena Scholarship, which was 
conceived at TAAP's 2004 conference, will provide financial 
assistance to a member of the Texas Teens Program who is pursuing a 
college degree; TAAP is composed of counselors, prevention 
specialists, and other individuals who are dedicated to aiding 
victims of alcoholism, drug abuse, and other forms of addiction in 
their recovery and providing support to their families; with 13 
chapters across the state, TAAP holds as its mission the unity and 
advancement of addiction professionals and a heightened awareness 
of the devastating effects the disease of substance abuse has on 
individuals and their families; and
	WHEREAS, The fourth anniversary of the death of John Pena 
provides a sad, yet fitting time to recognize TAAP for establishing 
this noteworthy scholarship in this dearly loved young Texan's 
memory; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature hereby commend the Texas Association of Addiction 
Professionals for its important work and recognize the recipient of 
that organization's first John Austin Pena Scholarship; and, be it 
further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for the association and the award's inaugural recipient as 
an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.