SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 38

WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to honor the volunteers and staff of the Gratitude Initiative for their exceptional work on behalf of military families; and

WHEREAS, The hardships of our nation's wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are borne not only by members of the armed forces but also by their loved ones; the Gratitude Initiative is a Texas-based charity that works to aid these families; and

WHEREAS, Since the events of September 11, 2001, millions of active military, National Guard, and reserve unit troops have served in combat zones, and more than three million family members have been left at home to cope with deployments; parted from their mothers or fathers, children often find themselves struggling emotionally and academically; and

WHEREAS, The Gratitude Initiative was founded by Lee Sechrist, a veteran of the United States Army, to help address the needs of families by providing educational support and scholarships for children and families of service members, veterans, disabled veterans, and those killed in action; and

WHEREAS, Military children endure separation and loss so that their parents can defend our nation, and all those who contribute to the Gratitude Initiative's notable endeavors to assist these children indeed merit special recognition and praise; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 84th Legislature, hereby recognize January 27, 2015, as Gratitude Initiative Day at the State Capitol; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate.

Schwertner

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on January 21, 2015.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate