SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 305

WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to join the Amachi Texas and Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Texas program in recognizing its 2006 partners for their outstanding work and support; and

WHEREAS, The 2006 partners are being honored at a brunch on February 24, 2007, in Grand Prairie; the event will include gospel music, presentations by members of Big Brothers Big Sisters, and an inspiring message from the Reverend Dr. Wilson Goode, Sr., father of the Amachi mentoring program and recipient of the Philadelphia Inquirer's 2006 Citizen of the Year award; and

WHEREAS, The Amachi Texas and Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Texas are paying tribute to Alpha Phi Alpha, Cornerstone Baptist Church, Friendship West Baptist Church, Hamilton Park United Methodist Church, HOPE - Dawson Women's Facility, Irving Bible Church, and Metroplex Chapel; and

WHEREAS, Honorees also include Prison Fellowship, Saint Luke's "Community" United Methodist Church, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, the Texas State Association of Fire Fighters, Travis Avenue Baptist Church, United Methodist Men - North Texas Conference, and Dr. Wilson Goode; and

WHEREAS, Big Brothers Big Sisters is a one-to-one mentoring program that brings together volunteers and young people to help young people learn to make better decisions, solve problems, and resolve conflicts; young people who participate in the program have more confidence in themselves and are less likely to use drugs, skip school, or harm others; and

WHEREAS, The purpose of the brunch being hosted by the Amachi Texas and Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Texas is to show appreciation to the program's partners and to celebrate the value of faith, hope, and love in the relationship between Big and Little Brothers and Sisters, especially when working with children who have a family member incarcerated, on parole, or on probation; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 80th Legislature, hereby commend the 2006 partners of Amachi Texas and Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Texas for their invaluable work on behalf of young people and as supporters of this exceptional organization; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for these partners as an expression of esteem and best wishes from the Texas Senate. West

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on February 20, 2007.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate