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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The hardships of our nation's wars in Iraq and |
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Afghanistan are borne not only by the military personnel who fight |
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in the wars, but also by their loved ones, and the Gratitude |
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Initiative, a Texas-based charity, works to aid these families; and |
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WHEREAS, Since the events of September 11, 2001, millions of |
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active duty military, National Guard, and reserve unit troops have |
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served in combat zones, and over three million family members, |
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including more than one million children, have been left at home to |
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deal with the deployment; parted from their mothers or fathers for |
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months at a time, these children often find themselves struggling |
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academically and may face emotional issues caused by the |
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separation; and |
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WHEREAS, The Gratitude Initiative was founded in Texas by |
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U.S. Army combat veteran and entrepreneur Lee Sechrist to help |
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address the needs of these families by providing educational |
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support and scholarships for children and families of military |
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service members, veterans, disabled veterans, and those killed in |
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action; and |
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WHEREAS, Military children endure separation and loss so that |
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their parents might defend our nation, and all those involved with |
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the notable endeavors of the Gratitude Initiative to assist these |
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children truly merit special recognition and praise; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize January 27, 2015, as Gratitude |
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Initiative/GI Kids Day in Texas and that the citizens of Texas be |
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encouraged to honor our military families and children for their |
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service to our nation and state. |