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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 408
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WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to |
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recognize Court Appointed Special Advocates of Travis County, also |
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known as CASA of Travis County, and its many dedicated volunteers, |
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who are celebrating the organization's 30th anniversary; and |
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WHEREAS, CASA of Travis County was created in 1985 to provide |
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assistance, encouragement, and support to children and youths who |
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are in the court system as a result of abuse or neglect; and |
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WHEREAS, CASA of Travis County is one of the largest CASA |
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programs in Texas and serves a greater percentage of children in |
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the county court system than any other major urban CASA program |
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in Texas; it has more than 600 volunteers who act as guardians ad |
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litem for more than 1,600 children each year; and |
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WHEREAS, CASA volunteers are unique among volunteers as |
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they are regarded with the same importance and value in the court |
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system as any professional lawyer or social worker; their |
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advocacy on behalf of young people and their responsibilities |
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under the Texas Family Code are substantial; and |
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WHEREAS, Some of Travis County's most intelligent, |
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compassionate, dedicated, and resourceful citizens volunteer for |
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the CASA program; their extensive training prepares them to serve |
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as education advocates for the school-aged children they serve; and |
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WHEREAS, CASA volunteers also work with teenagers leaving |
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the foster care system to help them become successful, independent |
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adults, and they work to reduce the disproportionate number of |
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African American children in the foster care system; and |
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WHEREAS, CASA of Travis County has won national |
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recognition for its innovative program to find long-lost |
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relatives to provide support and connection to youth in foster |
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care; and |
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WHEREAS, Over the last 30 years CASA of Travis County has |
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advocated for the best interests of more than 10,000 children who |
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have experienced abuse or neglect; and |
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WHEREAS, The CASA program and its dedicated volunteers |
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truly make a difference in the lives of many young people in |
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Travis County at a time when they are the most vulnerable, and the |
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support and encouragement these youths receive will continue to |
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have a positive impact on them for the rest of their lives; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 84th |
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Legislature, hereby commend CASA of Travis County and its many |
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volunteers for their selfless service and extend to them best wishes |
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for a wonderful 30th anniversary celebration; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared to |
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commemorate this significant occasion. |
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Watson |
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________________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
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I hereby certify that the |
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above Resolution was adopted by |
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the Senate on March 23, 2015. |
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________________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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________________________________ |
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Member, Texas Senate |