81R22961 CBE-D

By: Naishtat H.R. No. 1398

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, The national service program AmeriCorps has proven to be a highly effective way to engage Americans in a lifetime of volunteerism while meeting a wide range of local and national needs; and

WHEREAS, Since its inception in 1994, nearly 500,000 citizens across the country and some 17,000 in Texas have taken the AmeriCorps pledge to "get things done"; and

WHEREAS, AmeriCorps members have accumulated more than 12 million hours in service, tutoring and mentoring disadvantaged youth, fighting illiteracy, improving health services, building affordable housing, teaching computer skills, cleaning parks and streams, managing and operating after-school programs, helping communities recover from disasters, and expanding the capacity of nonprofit organizations; and

WHEREAS, In 2008, AmeriCorps in Texas provided opportunities for approximately 1,600 people to address the unmet needs of communities; these dedicated individuals subsequently recruited and supervised more than 16,000 community volunteers, demonstrating that AmeriCorps in Texas is a powerful catalyst for volunteer recruitment and engagement; and

WHEREAS, AmeriCorps distributed over $10 million in grants in Texas in 2008-2009, along with hundreds of millions of dollars in additional funds and in-kind donations that were leveraged from other sources; and

WHEREAS, AmeriCorps Week 2009, observed May 9 through 16, is an opportune time to salute current and former AmeriCorps in Texas members for their tremendous contributions, to thank AmeriCorps in Texas community partners, and to encourage Texans to consider serving in this outstanding program; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas Legislature hereby recognize May 9-16, 2009, as AmeriCorps Week and extend sincere appreciation to AmeriCorps in Texas for its significant efforts in behalf of the state.