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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, For 60 years, the Texas Lions Camp in Kerrville has |
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provided a memorable summer camp experience to countless children |
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with special needs; and |
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WHEREAS, In 1948, as a polio epidemic swept the nation, Jack |
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Roe, a social worker and Lions Club member, worked with the |
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Kerrville Lions Club to create a summer camp for children who had |
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been affected by the disease; after the camp was officially |
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approved by the Lions International Convention in 1949, Lions Clubs |
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throughout the state raised funds to build the facility on 500 acres |
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of the Texas Hill Country; and |
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WHEREAS, The Texas Lions Camp greeted its inaugural campers, |
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40 excited children, on June 8, 1953, and by the end of its first |
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summer, 236 children had enjoyed a week filled with the joys of |
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nature and new friends; in 1971, the camp expanded its services to |
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include programs for children with type I diabetes, and now nearly |
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1,500 children with physical disabilities, Down syndrome, visual |
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and hearing impairments, diabetes, and cancer attend the camp each |
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summer; and |
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WHEREAS, Each of the one-week summer sessions is based on a |
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can-do philosophy, as campers between the ages of 7 and 16 learn to |
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feel more self-confident, develop a positive self-image, and become |
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more independent while riding horses, sleeping under the stars, and |
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participating in a range of educational and recreational |
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activities; and |
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WHEREAS, Since the camp opened in 1953, more than 62,000 |
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children have attended, and to celebrate the camp's immeasurable |
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contributions to youth over the years, the Texas Historical |
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Commission awarded it an official Texas Historical Marker in 2005; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, The Texas Lions Camp has demonstrated an unwavering |
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commitment to children with special needs, and it is indeed fitting |
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that it be recognized for the invaluable, life-enhancing |
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experiences that it provides to so many young Texans; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas |
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Legislature hereby honor the Texas Lions Camp on the occasion of its |
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60th anniversary and extend to all those associated with the camp |
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sincere best wishes for continued success; 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 Lions Camp as an expression of high regard by |
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the Texas House of Representatives. |
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Hilderbran |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 1680 was adopted by the House on May |
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1, 2013, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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