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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Dr. Brenda Risch has been a leader in the fight for |
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social justice for members of the LGBTQIA+ communities in Texas, |
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and their efforts have made a positive difference in numerous |
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lives; and |
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WHEREAS, In order to address the needs of LGBTQIA+ |
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communities in El Paso, Dr. Risch led a campaign to establish the |
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Borderland Rainbow Center, which opened in 2016; they currently |
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serve as executive director of the organization, and its many |
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initiatives include support groups, therapy on a sliding scale, |
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casework, a food pantry, and a variety of social and educational |
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events; in addition, members of the organization promote equality |
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in the wider community by training local allies and advocating in |
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behalf of LGBTQIA+ residents; and |
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WHEREAS, Prior to working with BRC, Dr. Risch served as |
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director of the Women's Studies Program at The University of Texas |
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at El Paso and oversaw the development of internship and research |
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programs for gender and sexuality studies; they also founded the |
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Frontera Pride Film Festival in El Paso as well as Engendering |
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Community, a museum exhibit highlighting LGBTQIA+ people in the |
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Paso del Norte region; Dr. Risch holds a bachelor's degree in |
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comparative literature from Northwestern University, a master's |
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degree and a doctorate in comparative literature from the |
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University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a master's degree |
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in social work from The University of Texas at El Paso; moreover, |
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they are a licensed clinical social worker and therapist; and |
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WHEREAS, Through their myriad endeavors, Dr. Brenda Risch |
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has helped further inclusion and equality in the Lone Star State, |
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and they may indeed reflect with pride on their many noteworthy |
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accomplishments; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas |
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Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby commend Dr. Brenda Risch |
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for working in behalf of the LGBTQIA+ communities of Texas; and, be |
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it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Dr. Risch as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
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House of Representatives. |
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González of El Paso |
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González of Dallas |
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Zwiener |
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Johnson of Dallas |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 263 was adopted by the House on |
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October 18, 2021, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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