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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The Fifth Ward Enrichment Program of Houston is |
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receiving the Outstanding Community Leader Award at the scholarship |
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banquet of the African American Legislative Summit in Austin on |
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February 28, 2011; and |
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WHEREAS, Presented by the Texas Legislative Black Caucus, the |
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award recognizes the efforts of FWEP to empower at-risk inner-city |
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males between the ages of 12 and 19 to become responsible and |
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productive members of their families and their community; and |
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WHEREAS, Founded in 1984, FWEP relies on an all-male staff to |
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serve as site coordinators in six Fifth Ward schools, where they |
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interact daily throughout the school year, as well as during a |
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seven-week summer program, with approximately 250 youth; the staff |
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serve as important role models and stress the value of education, |
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self-restraint, and goal-setting; and |
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WHEREAS, In addition to school-based projects, FWEP provides |
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group counseling, life skills workshops, and one-on-one mentoring, |
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all as part of a system of positive reinforcement to help |
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participants direct their energy toward meaningful and |
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constructive endeavors; FWEP youth also benefit from peer health |
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educators and a Teen Enterprise Center, which develops |
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entrepreneurial skills; moreover, the parent and family liaison |
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coordinates and mentors the parents and guardians of participants; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, For more than 25 years, the Fifth Ward Enrichment |
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Program has introduced countless young people to the values of |
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discipline, self-esteem, and personal accountability, and it is |
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truly deserving of special recognition for its holistic and |
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effective approach to youth development; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas |
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Legislature hereby congratulate the Fifth Ward Enrichment Program |
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on its receipt of the 2011 Outstanding Community Leader Award from |
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the Texas Legislative Black Caucus and extend to the program's |
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staff sincere best wishes for continued success with their |
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important work; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for FWEP as an expression of high regard by the Texas House |
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of Representatives. |