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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The annual Step by Step for Special Needs event is |
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taking place in Eagle Pass on April 6, 2019; and |
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WHEREAS, This worthy endeavor was established by Mark Anthony |
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Hernandez with the vision of providing opportunities for students |
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of differing abilities to socialize with and learn from one |
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another; he was inspired to undertake this effort by his brother, |
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Jorge Hernandez, who has Down syndrome, and in 2007, Mark Hernandez |
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joined with his mother, special education teacher Norma Hernandez, |
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to make his dream a reality; and |
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WHEREAS, The mission of the Step by Step for Special Needs |
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event is to promote awareness and acceptance of people of all ages |
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with special needs and to enlist the support of various entities in |
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Eagle Pass to help create meaningful recreational activities for |
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them; the family-friendly event features music, dancing, food, |
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games, and a community-wide awareness walk, and it is made possible |
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by the generosity of a host of sponsors, donors, and volunteers; |
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every year, participants with special needs are recognized during a |
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ceremony, where they each receive an enthusiastic ovation from the |
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crowd and local school cheerleaders; and |
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WHEREAS, Today, the Step by Step for Special Needs event is |
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organized by the Angels from Heaven Club, a group founded by Norma |
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Hernandez; since its inception, the event has helped bring about a |
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variety of new programs, including a softball league, a fashion |
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show, and cheerleading classes for community members with special |
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needs; the Angels from Heaven Club also hosts Christmas and |
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Valentine's Day celebrations and a community picnic, and the club |
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arranges for its members to go on trips to Disney World, |
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Schlitterbahn, South Padre Island, and other destinations with |
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their peers and families; and |
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WHEREAS, The Step by Step for Special Needs event is an |
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outstanding example of the good that can be accomplished when |
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caring individuals come together, and by helping to make Eagle Pass |
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a more welcoming and accepting place for all residents, it is making |
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a profound difference in countless lives; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 86th Texas |
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Legislature hereby commemorate the 2019 Step by Step for Special |
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Needs Event in Eagle Pass and extend to the Angels from Heaven Club |
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and the event's dedicated volunteers and community partners sincere |
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best wishes for continued success; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for the Angels from Heaven Club as an expression of high |
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regard by the Texas House of Representatives. |