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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The Texas Food Bank Network is making a positive |
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difference in the lives of countless state residents, and members |
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of this important group are gathering in Austin on February 12, |
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2013, to observe Texas Food Bank Day at the State Capitol; and |
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WHEREAS, Established in 1986, TFBN consists of 21 food banks |
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that serve all 254 Texas counties through some 3,900 community |
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agencies; the network further utilizes public-private partnerships |
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to reach as many people in need as possible; and |
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WHEREAS, One such partnership is the Surplus Agricultural |
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Products Grant Program, which provides incentives to farmers to |
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donate fresh produce; this initiative has enabled more than 80 |
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million pounds of surplus produce to be distributed throughout |
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Texas by offsetting the costs to producers of harvesting, |
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packaging, and shipping; and |
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WHEREAS, Another collaboration that has benefited hungry |
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Texans is the Second Chance Partnership, which allows inmates in |
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the state criminal justice system to gain work experience and |
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certifications through volunteer efforts at food banks and also |
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encourages the use of prison land to grow produce; in addition, TFBN |
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has partnered with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission |
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to increase the efficiency of the process that determines whether |
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Texans are eligible for food aid; and |
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WHEREAS, The Texas Food Bank Network is helping to address |
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one of the most critical needs faced by area families, and its |
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outstanding efforts are greatly reducing hunger in the Lone Star |
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State; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize February 12, 2013, as Texas Food Bank |
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Day at the State Capitol and extend sincere best wishes to all those |
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involved with the network 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 the Texas Food Bank Network as an expression of high |
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regard by the Texas House of Representatives. |