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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Lisa Helfman has demonstrated an exceptional |
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commitment to the well-being of young Texans as the founder and |
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chair of Brighter Bites; and |
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WHEREAS, A nonprofit organization, Brighter Bites promotes |
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healthy eating habits among children and their families through an |
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evidence-based, multicomponent program in schools, preschools, and |
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summer camps; it was created by Ms. Helfman in 2012 through a |
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collaborative partnership between the Houston Food Bank and |
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Dr. Shreela Sharma at The University of Texas School of Public |
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Health; and |
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WHEREAS, Brighter Bites provides produce and in-class |
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nutrition education to underserved communities in Austin, Dallas, |
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Houston, New York, southwest Florida, and Washington, D.C.; since |
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its inception, it has donated more than 20 million pounds of fruits |
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and vegetables to more than 240 schools and camps; giving people |
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healthier options encourages them to make better food choices, and |
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98 percent of the participants increased their consumption of fresh |
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produce during the program season, with 74 percent maintaining the |
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higher level following its conclusion; Brighter Bites received the |
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2018 Partnership for a Healthier America Impact Award and the 2016 |
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Texas Health Champion Award; and |
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WHEREAS, In her professional life, Lisa Helfman is director |
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of real estate for the H-E-B Grocery Company; previously, as |
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director of real estate services at Texas Children's Hospital, she |
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centralized the institution's real estate operations; she began her |
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career as an attorney with Vinson & Elkins, representing urban |
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redevelopment clients, nonprofits, and government entities in |
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financing deals, real estate, and other matters; a magna cum laude |
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graduate of the University of Houston Law Center, she earned her |
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bachelor's degree from Tulane University; she has been named 2019 |
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Humanitarian of the Year by the Houston-Galveston chapter of the |
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Albert Schweitzer Fellowship; and |
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WHEREAS, Through her outstanding contributions, Lisa Helfman |
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has enabled families across the country to enjoy the benefits of |
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healthier eating, and she is indeed deserving of this special |
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recognition; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 86th Texas |
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Legislature hereby honor Lisa Helfman for her work as founder and |
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chair of Brighter Bites and extend to her and this noteworthy |
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organization sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it |
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further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Ms. Helfman as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |