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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, A number of caring individuals and organizations in |
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McAllen have given generously of their time and resources to |
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alleviate the crisis brought on by the recent wave of immigrants |
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entering the Rio Grande Valley; and |
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WHEREAS, During the past year, migrants--mostly families and |
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unaccompanied children--have crossed the border in unforeseen |
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numbers, many of them fleeing violence in their Central American |
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home countries with the hope of gaining asylum in the U.S.; the |
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sudden influx of immigrants has placed an overwhelming strain on |
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the community, contributing to substandard and sometimes desperate |
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conditions at the facilities used to house these men, women, and |
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children; and |
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WHEREAS, Across the city of McAllen and neighboring |
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communities, civic and religious leaders have been stirred to |
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respond to this humanitarian emergency with initiative and |
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compassion; at the request of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande |
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Valley, Sacred Heart Catholic Church in downtown McAllen has |
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expanded its offerings to further serve as a gathering point for |
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volunteers and a place where they could supply new arrivals with |
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nutritious meals, water, clean clothing, and temporary shelter; |
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additional civic and charitable groups are answering the call with |
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donations and other means of assistance, and doctors are staffing |
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mobile medical units in order to treat individuals with health |
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concerns; and |
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WHEREAS, Several public officials have provided important |
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support for the relief operations; among them are Hidalgo County |
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Judge Ramon Garcia, Hidalgo County emergency management |
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coordinator Oscar Montoya, City of McAllen Mayor Jim Darling, and |
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City of McAllen Chief of Police Victor Rodriguez; and |
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WHEREAS, Leaders in the charitable effort are members of |
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Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley and the organization's |
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executive director, Sister Norma Pimentel, Dr. Carlos Cardenas of |
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Doctors Hospital at Renaissance, and physicians Dr. Layra Canales |
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and Dr. Pedro Montano; and |
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WHEREAS, Those who come to the aid of others in a time of need |
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exemplify the noblest qualities of the human spirit, and through |
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their determination to help, these selfless men and women have made |
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a positive difference in the lives of countless people; 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 honor the many individuals and organizations who |
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are participating in the humanitarian relief efforts in McAllen and |
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extend to them sincere gratitude for their hard work, kindness, and |
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dedication. |