85R10773 KSM-D

By: Frank H.R. No. 398

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, The volunteers, staff, and board members who make up the Texas Court Appointed Special Advocates organization are gathering in Austin on February 16, 2017, for CASA Day at the State Capitol; and

WHEREAS, Texas CASA is part of a national volunteer movement begun in the 1970s that enlists community volunteers to serve as court advocates for abused and neglected children; these volunteers research the child's situation, provide critical information and recommendations to judges about what is best for the child, and help ensure that children in the foster care system find safe, permanent homes as soon as possible; and

WHEREAS, The first CASA program in Texas began in Dallas more than 35 years ago, and Texas CASA was formed in 1989; the organization provides funding, training, coordination, and assistance to 72 local CASA programs statewide that last year engaged more than 9,100 volunteers, who gave life-changing advocacy, help, and encouragement to nearly 28,000 children and young people in state care; and

WHEREAS, CASA volunteers help to give children in the foster care system hope for a better future and provide courts with information they need to make well-informed decisions in child protective services cases, and their efforts help to ensure that the system functions as intended; all those associated with CASA are truly deserving of recognition for their service to the State of Texas, its courts, and its children; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas Legislature hereby recognize February 16, 2017, as CASA Day at the State Capitol and commend the organization for its noble efforts to aid abused and neglected children; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for CASA as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.