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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Deteriorating school infrastructure and poor indoor |
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environmental quality are detrimental to the health, welfare, and |
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achievement of faculty, students, and staff; and |
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WHEREAS, By contrast, green schools support the health of |
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their occupants while reducing environmental impact and costs; |
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these high-performance buildings offer many features that have been |
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shown to improve children's well-being and ability to learn, |
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including natural lighting, thermal comfort, and thoughtful |
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classroom design; moreover, superior indoor air quality, a hallmark |
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of green schools, has been linked to lower incidence of asthma and |
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allergies, reduced absenteeism, and increased teacher retention |
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rates; and |
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WHEREAS, Green schools cost no more to build than |
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conventional schools, as hundreds of districts across the country |
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have found, and they use, on average, 30 to 50 percent less energy; |
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existing schools can be converted through low- or no-cost |
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improvements to operations and maintenance, and districts can save |
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millions through the adoption of such initiatives as energy and |
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water management, green cleaning and smarter purchasing practices, |
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and recycling and waste reduction programs; the LEED (Leadership in |
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Energy and Environmental Design) green building rating system has |
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proven a valuable instrument for optimizing building performance, |
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resolving operational inefficiencies, and dramatically reducing |
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utility costs in new construction and renovations; and |
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WHEREAS, Students who attend green schools gain greater |
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knowledge of sustainability, a concept of rising importance in the |
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competitive 21st century economy; moreover, the building becomes an |
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interactive teaching tool, creating multiple opportunities for |
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curriculum innovation and hands-on, project-based learning; and |
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WHEREAS, While promoting good health and creating an |
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environment that is optimally conducive to teaching and learning, |
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green schools save energy and money, and the benefits they bring |
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contribute significantly to prosperity and quality of life in the |
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communities they serve; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas |
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Legislature hereby express its support for green schools and |
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encourage all Texans to learn more about the advantages they |
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provide. |