SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 141

WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to honor Texas Court Appointed Special Advocates and to recognize February 1, 2011, as CASA Day at the State Capitol; and

WHEREAS, As a national volunteer movement that began over 33 years ago, CASA enlists community volunteers to serve as advocates for abused and neglected children; these volunteers research the child's situation, provide invaluable information and recommendations to judges about the child's best interests, and help ensure that children in the foster care system find safe, permanent homes as soon as possible; and

WHEREAS, There are 69 local CASA organizations throughout the state that last year engaged over 6,600 volunteers to provide life-changing advocacy, help, and hope to 20,861 children, about 50 percent of the children in the foster care system; and

WHEREAS, CASA volunteers provide children in the foster care system their time, dedication, and commitment in order to give them hope for a better future, provide courts with the information they need to make well-informed decisions in child protection services cases, and provide the State of Texas with services that help ensure that the child protection system functions as intended; all those associated with CASA are truly deserving of recognition for their service to the State of Texas, its courts, and its children; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 82nd Legislature, hereby proclaim February 1, 2011, as CASA Day at the State Capitol and commend the organization for its noble efforts to aid abused and neglected children; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate.

Nelson

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on January 31, 2011.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate