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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Justin Churchman of El Paso has won a national 2011 |
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Prudential Spirit of Community Award, earning recognition as one of |
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the top 10 youth volunteers in the United States; and |
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WHEREAS, Sponsored by Prudential Financial and the National |
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Association of Secondary School Principals, the Spirit of Community |
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Awards honor young people in middle school and high school who have |
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demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to serving their |
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communities, and this year more than 29,000 teens from throughout |
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the country were considered for recognition; and |
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WHEREAS, Since 2006, Mr. Churchman has led an effort to build |
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houses for the poor in Juarez, Mexico, inspired by his experiences |
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building homes there with his school and the organization Casas por |
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Cristo, beginning at age 12; he was deeply gratified by the work and |
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decided to put together his own team of volunteers after the |
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violence in Juarez escalated and his school stopped making the |
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trips; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Churchman began the endeavor with five months of |
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planning and fund-raising, including writing letters and making |
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speeches to potential donors, obtaining international permits, |
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purchasing insurance, and determining the necessary supplies; he |
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received support from three companies and many individuals and |
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recruited 30 volunteers, and his team built a house in three days; |
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to date, he has raised more than $48,000 and recruited over 75 |
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volunteers, and he reached his personal goal of completing 18 |
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houses by his 18th birthday; and |
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WHEREAS, This outstanding young Texan has demonstrated |
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remarkable initiative and determination in the pursuit of a |
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selfless goal, and he is a source of inspiration to all who are |
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privileged to know him; 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 Justin Churchman on being named one |
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of the top 10 youth volunteers in the nation for 2011 by the |
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Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program and extend to him |
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sincere best wishes for continued success with his important work; |
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and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Mr. Churchman as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |