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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, For 20 years, Heart House has helped refugee |
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children thrive in the Vickery Meadow community of Dallas; and |
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WHEREAS, Many refugees reside in Vickery Meadow, and most |
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come from countries beset by conflict and privation; while learning |
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how to navigate a new culture, children are often dealing with early |
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trauma caused by such factors as war, separation from caregivers, |
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harsh living conditions, and post-migration issues that can include |
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discrimination and social exclusion; refugee children are |
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over-represented in special education programs and are typically |
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three to four years behind their peers academically; and |
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WHEREAS, Heart House offers after-school and summer |
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programs, following a holistic mental and behavioral health model |
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that adapts to a child's background and current emotional state; |
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with its Head, Heart, Hands program, also known as H3, Heart House |
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makes social-emotional learning a core component in its strategy to |
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promote healing and growth through educational and therapeutic |
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experiences customized for the individual; research demonstrates |
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that this approach increases academic performance and improves |
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mental health; and |
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WHEREAS, Reflecting the diversity of Vickery Meadow, Heart |
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House currently serves children who speak nearly 20 different |
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languages and dialects; it provides students from kindergarten |
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through eighth grade with space to play, have a meal, and enjoy |
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music, art, and other enrichment activities; group counseling is |
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available, as well as extra support from a team of mental health |
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professionals; and |
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WHEREAS, Immigrants contribute immeasurably to the vibrancy |
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of our communities, and by encouraging the emotional, social, and |
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cognitive development of refugee children, Heart House is preparing |
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them to be more happy, resilient, and productive members of |
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society; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas |
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Legislature hereby honor Heart House for 20 years of service to |
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refugee children in Dallas and extend to all those associated with |
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this noteworthy organization sincere best wishes for the future; |
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and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Heart House as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |
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Turner of Dallas |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 1388 was adopted by the House on May |
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26, 2021, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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