SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 1021

WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to recognize Mrs. Rose Lancaster for her many years of community service and her efforts to better the health and welfare of Texans; and

WHEREAS, During her 15 years as executive director of Extend-A-Care, Mrs. Lancaster executed her vision to expand from a single after-school day care program to 35 program centers in area schools where children could learn and be cared for in a safe environment; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Lancaster contributed to school integration through her work with integrated summer camp programs which laid the groundwork for fully integrated school systems in Texas; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Lancaster was elected the first woman elder in her local church and the first woman moderator of Mission Presbytery, the regional church organization; and

WHEREAS, She contributed to the success and firm establishment of Manos de Cristo by serving as Interim Executive Director and stewarding the organization, which today offers a variety of dental, education, food and clothing programs to assist those living in poverty; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Lancaster has served as a volunteer for no fewer than 20 community organizations, civic commissions, panels, and boards, which have addressed issues that have included health, safety, spirituality, poverty, indigent care, women's health and homelessness; and

WHEREAS, This outstanding civic leader also served as a founding board member of the Capitol Area Homeless Alliance, which later became the nonprofit organization Front Steps, where she has guided the development of programs and services for homeless persons; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Lancaster served as a driving force behind the development of the Austin Resource Center for the Homeless by the City of Austin to provide overnight emergency shelter and case management services for the most vulnerable of Austin's homeless; and

WHEREAS, She has also worked to create the Central Texas Recuperative Care Program through Front Steps to address the need for additional medical respite for medically vulnerable homeless men and women being dismissed from hospitals; and

WHEREAS, Her dedication to finding solutions to the problem of homelessness has had a significant impact on countless lives in Austin, and her efforts have ensured that each year some 9,000 homeless individuals find safe shelter and a pathway out of homelessness; she is truly deserving of recognition of her lifelong contributions to her Austin community and to all Texans; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 82nd Legislature, hereby commend Mrs. Rose Lancaster for her service above self, her volunteer spirit, and her commitment to addressing homelessness in Austin; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for her as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate.

Watson

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on May 17, 2011.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate