SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 408

WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to recognize Court Appointed Special Advocates of Travis County, also known as CASA of Travis County, and its many dedicated volunteers, who are celebrating the organization's 30th anniversary; and

WHEREAS, CASA of Travis County was created in 1985 to provide assistance, encouragement, and support to children and youths who are in the court system as a result of abuse or neglect; and

WHEREAS, CASA of Travis County is one of the largest CASA programs in Texas and serves a greater percentage of children in the county court system than any other major urban CASA program in Texas; it has more than 600 volunteers who act as guardians ad litem for more than 1,600 children each year; and

WHEREAS, CASA volunteers are unique among volunteers as they are regarded with the same importance and value in the court system as any professional lawyer or social worker; their advocacy on behalf of young people and their responsibilities under the Texas Family Code are substantial; and

WHEREAS, Some of Travis County's most intelligent, compassionate, dedicated, and resourceful citizens volunteer for the CASA program; their extensive training prepares them to serve as education advocates for the school-aged children they serve; and

WHEREAS, CASA volunteers also work with teenagers leaving the foster care system to help them become successful, independent adults, and they work to reduce the disproportionate number of African American children in the foster care system; and

WHEREAS, CASA of Travis County has won national recognition for its innovative program to find long-lost relatives to provide support and connection to youth in foster care; and

WHEREAS, Over the last 30 years CASA of Travis County has advocated for the best interests of more than 10,000 children who have experienced abuse or neglect; and

WHEREAS, The CASA program and its dedicated volunteers truly make a difference in the lives of many young people in Travis County at a time when they are the most vulnerable, and the support and encouragement these youths receive will continue to have a positive impact on them for the rest of their lives; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 84th Legislature, hereby commend CASA of Travis County and its many volunteers for their selfless service and extend to them best wishes for a wonderful 30th anniversary celebration; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared to commemorate this significant occasion.

Watson

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on March 23, 2015.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate