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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Blake Rocap is stepping down as legislative counsel |
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for NARAL Pro-Choice Texas, drawing to a close five years of |
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steadfast service in defense of the reproductive rights of Texas |
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women; and |
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WHEREAS, A statewide nonprofit and nonpartisan organization, |
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NARAL Pro-Choice Texas (NPCT) works to support and protect the |
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right of each woman to make personal and private decisions |
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regarding her reproductive choices and health; the group advocates |
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in behalf of pro-choice legislation and promotes access to a full |
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range of women's health care services; and |
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WHEREAS, Since assuming the role of legislative counsel in |
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2008, Mr. Rocap has coordinated NPCT's political outreach efforts, |
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in addition to serving as a de facto spokesperson to the media on |
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the group's stances and recommendations; a tireless champion of the |
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organization and its goals, he has attended and testified at a |
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multitude of committee hearings and met often with lawmakers to |
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discuss proposed legislation affecting women's health; and |
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WHEREAS, This lifelong Texan draws on a wealth of experience |
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in public interest law; he is a graduate of The University of Texas, |
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where he earned a bachelor's degree in American studies, and of |
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Texas Tech University, where he completed his doctor of |
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jurisprudence degree; while in law school, he was a founding board |
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member of the Student Public Interest Initiative, the social |
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director of the Board of Barristers, and a member of the curriculum |
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committee; and |
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WHEREAS, His early career included summer clerkships with the |
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Texas Civil Rights Project, Jane's Due Process, and the United |
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States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission; after practicing |
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as a plaintiff's attorney in the areas of employment discrimination |
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and workplace safety, he accepted a position as general counsel to a |
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statewide political campaign, an experience that deepened his |
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understanding of Texas campaign finance and election law and that |
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cemented his interest in public policy; he additionally gained a |
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familiarity with the legislative process and parliamentary |
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procedure while serving as a committee clerk in the Texas House of |
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Representatives; and |
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WHEREAS, Blake Rocap has worked tirelessly to defend the |
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cause of reproductive freedom in the Lone Star State, and in so |
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doing, he has earned the admiration and appreciation of countless |
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Texas women; 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 Blake Rocap for his service to NARAL |
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Pro-Choice Texas and extend to him sincere best wishes for the |
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future; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Mr. Rocap as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
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House of Representatives. |
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Farrar |
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Naishtat |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 2794 was adopted by the House on May |
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24, 2013, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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