H.R. No. 37

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, The city of DeSoto has implemented a new streaming-video system that allows citizens improved access to public meetings via the city's website, becoming the first city in Dallas County and only the fourth in Texas to make use of this new technology; and

WHEREAS, The system allows live webcasting of meetings as they occur and also makes archived versions available for viewing at any time, with the material being accessed through an interactive agenda that allows fast and easy retrieval of specific information; and

WHEREAS, The new streaming system has been operational since June 2006, and its launch was made possible by the dedicated efforts of a deployment team that included city secretary Anell Shipman, project lead Laura Hallmark, webmaster Karen Kirby, network administrator Jarrod Wright, audiovisual lead Kathy Maples, and audiovisual backup Darrell Tate; and

WHEREAS, By pioneering the use of this medium, the city of DeSoto is making local government more accessible to residents; with Internet use widespread among the town's population, this web-based system allows a large number of citizens to have convenient, round-the-clock access to city meetings, which creates greater awareness of important issues in the community and enhances civic participation; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 80th Texas Legislature hereby honor the city of DeSoto for the establishment of its streaming-video system for public meetings and commend the individuals involved in this project for their efforts to enhance citizen involvement in governmental affairs.

Davis of Dallas

______________________________ Speaker of the House

I certify that H.R. No. 37 was adopted by the House on March 1, 2007, by a non-record vote.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House