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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Family and friends are mourning the loss of Serena |
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Simmons Connelly of Farmers Branch, a lifelong champion for the |
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most vulnerable members of society, who passed away on April 22, |
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2020, at the age of 50; and |
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WHEREAS, The daughter of Harold and Sandra Simmons, the |
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former Serena Simmons was born in Houston on January 18, 1970; she |
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graduated at the top of her class at Greenhill School, and she |
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received a bachelor's degree in classical studies from Brown |
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University and a master's degree in social work from The University |
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of Texas at Arlington in 1995; and |
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WHEREAS, Admired for her quiet strength and visionary |
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leadership, Ms. Connelly launched her career as an advocate for HIV |
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and AIDS patients in Dallas; subsequently, she worked in behalf of |
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the city's refugee community and established the Human Rights |
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Initiative of North Texas, an organization that provides free legal |
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services to people who have suffered human rights abuses; she later |
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served as director of philanthropy for the Harold Simmons |
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Foundation; she believed strongly in the power of philanthropy to |
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drive systemic change, and her passion for early childhood |
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learning, criminal justice reform, gender equity, and quality |
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medical and mental health care for all shaped the foundation's |
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efforts; and |
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WHEREAS, Ms. Connelly tirelessly supported the advancement |
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of many other important initiatives as well, such as |
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trauma-informed therapy and Montessori education, and she |
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advocated for immigrant rights and those living in poverty; |
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moreover, she gave of her own resources to Educational First Steps, |
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Equal Justice USA, and Physicians for Human Rights, among others; |
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in recognition of her contributions, which also included service to |
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a number of boards and foundations, she received the 2014 |
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Distinguished Alumni Award from UT Arlington and was named the 2001 |
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Social Worker of the Year by the National Association of Social |
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Workers Texas Chapter; and |
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WHEREAS, In all her endeavors, Ms. Connelly enjoyed the love |
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and support of her husband, Tom Connelly, and their two children; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Through her exceptional dedication to social |
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justice, Serena Connelly made a positive and lasting difference in |
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the world around her, and she leaves behind a record of service that |
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her loved ones can remember with pride; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas |
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Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Serena Simmons |
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Connelly and extend sincere condolences to all those who mourn her |
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passing; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for her family and that when the Texas House of |
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Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Serena |
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Simmons Connelly. |
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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. 629 was unanimously adopted by a |
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rising vote of the House on April 16, 2021. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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