|
|
|
R E S O L U T I O N
|
|
WHEREAS, The year 2009 marks the 50th anniversary of the |
|
founding of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Arlington; and |
|
WHEREAS, Since it was established in 1959, this noteworthy |
|
organization has worked to inspire and enable all young people to |
|
realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and |
|
compassionate citizens; by engaging youth in numerous activities |
|
with caring adults, peers, and family members, the Boys and Girls |
|
Clubs of Arlington promotes such worthy goals as positive |
|
self-identity, community and civic involvement, health and |
|
well-being, and strong moral values; and |
|
WHEREAS, The organization served 100 youth in its first year |
|
of operation, and by 1980, the number had grown to 2,000; today, |
|
more than 6,000 individuals, ages 6 to 18, participate in the Boys |
|
and Girls Clubs of Arlington each year, and 86 percent of these |
|
youth come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds; the |
|
programs offered at the Boys and Girls Clubs are designed to meet |
|
the diverse needs and interests of all the participants, and are |
|
focused on the areas of character and leadership, health and life |
|
skills, education and careers, the arts and sports, and fitness and |
|
recreation; and |
|
WHEREAS, With the average member spending 12 hours per week |
|
at its facilities, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Arlington has |
|
expanded its range of activities to serve the growing population; |
|
in addition to a homework assistance program, the organization |
|
features a Kids Cafe that serves nutritious meals, as well as the |
|
Major League Baseball initiative, Reviving Baseball in Inner |
|
Cities, and it provides transportation to its clubs from local |
|
Title I schools; the group has also partnered with the Arlington |
|
Police Department to establish camps for at-risk teenagers, and it |
|
works with Tarrant County Juvenile Service and Arlington P.D. to |
|
target first-time youth offenders and offer them alternative |
|
activities at the clubs; and |
|
WHEREAS, Committed to youth development, the Boys and Girls |
|
Clubs of Arlington is building a solid foundation for the future |
|
achievement of many young Texans, and its efforts have benefited |
|
the local community as a whole; now, therefore, be it |
|
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas |
|
Legislature hereby commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Boys and |
|
Girls Clubs of Arlington and extend to all those affiliated with the |
|
organization sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it |
|
further |
|
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
|
prepared for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Arlington as an expression |
|
of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. |
|
|
Pierson |
|
Patrick |
|
|
|
______________________________ |
|
Speaker of the House |
|
|
I certify that H.R. No. 648 was adopted by the House on March |
|
5, 2009, by a non-record vote. |
|
|
|
______________________________ |
|
Chief Clerk of the House |
|