79R18259 SMC-D

By:  Edwards                                                      H.R. No. 2010



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The Texas Legislature has long recognized the value 
of extracurricular activities to the social, emotional, physical, 
and intellectual development of students enrolled in the Texas 
public education system; ranging from academic decathlon to 
athletics to the arts, students participating in these activities 
are ambassadors for their respective campuses and, by extension, 
for the entire state; and
	WHEREAS, Once purely a means to energize and entertain 
spectators at sporting events, cheerleading and dance have grown 
into sports in their own right with participants preparing 
diligently for competitions and contests in addition to their 
traditional appearances at school functions; as such, school 
cheerleaders and dancers represent their schools and districts 
every bit as much as the teams with which they perform; and
	WHEREAS, An implicit part of providing the best possible 
education for our children is promoting positive and healthy 
attitudes, perhaps most important among them respect for others and 
for oneself; if there is any question that these principles are 
being jeopardized by inappropriate conduct of students during 
school-sponsored events, on or off the school campus, it should be 
of concern to the public officials of this state; and
	WHEREAS, The mission of the Texas Education Agency is to 
provide leadership, guidance, and resources to help schools meet 
the educational needs of all students and the Texas House of 
Representatives commends this outstanding agency for its laudable 
accomplishments in reaching the important goal of educating the 
children of this state; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature hereby request the Texas Education Agency to determine 
whether inappropriate performances, including overly sexually 
suggestive performances, by school groups such as dance teams, 
drill teams, marching bands, and cheerleading teams are occurring 
at school-sponsored or approved events on a regular basis or as a 
result of lack of oversight or standards and take any action that it 
considers appropriate to address the issue; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That the chief clerk of the Texas House of 
Representatives forward an official copy of this resolution to the 
commissioner of education.