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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas is commemorating |
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the 90th anniversary of its founding in 2014; and |
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WHEREAS, Originally known as the Dallas Community Chest, |
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United Way of Metropolitan Dallas was formed in 1924 through an |
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alliance among several local agencies: Camp Fire, Child Care |
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Dallas, the Dallas Child Guidance Clinic, the Family Guidance |
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Center, Girl Scouts, Hope Cottage, Salesmanship Club Youth and |
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Family Centers, and the Salvation Army; and |
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WHEREAS, The Dallas Community Chest was composed of 37 |
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agencies by 1961, and that same year, the organization forged a |
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partnership with the American Red Cross; led by Texas Instruments |
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cofounder J. Erik Jonsson, this new iteration was known as the |
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United Fund; during that time, the organization's mission evolved |
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to accommodate a wider social consciousness, with such agencies as |
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the Dallas Urban League, the Arc of Dallas, and the Lancaster |
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Outreach Society reflecting emerging concerns for persons of color |
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and those with physical or economic challenges; and |
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WHEREAS, The United Fund became United Way in 1973, after |
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joining with United Way of America, now a trade association for |
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affiliates nationwide; to this day, however, United Way of |
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Metropolitan Dallas remains governed by local volunteers; and |
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WHEREAS, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas serves residents |
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in the counties of Dallas, Collin, Rockwall, and southern Denton, |
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where it strives to prepare children for graduation and success, to |
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help families escape poverty, and to enable people to lead healthy |
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and responsible lives; its many worthwhile programs are sustained |
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through the support of the more than 95,000 North Texans who donate |
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to United Way each year, as well as the dedicated community |
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volunteers who collectively log nearly 14,000 hours of their time |
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to ensure that every dollar received has the greatest possible |
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impact; and |
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WHEREAS, For the past nine decades, United Way of |
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Metropolitan Dallas has mobilized communities and inspired |
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positive change in the lives of countless Texans, and all those |
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whose efforts have helped to further this vital cause are deserving |
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of the highest commendation; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas |
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Legislature hereby honor United Way of Metropolitan Dallas on the |
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occasion of its 90th anniversary and commend United Way's |
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supporters and volunteers for their many good works; and, be it |
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further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for United Way of Metropolitan Dallas as an expression of |
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high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. |