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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The Dallas Urban Debate Alliance is a nonprofit |
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organization that is dedicated to providing Dallas ISD students |
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from all backgrounds with the opportunity to expand their |
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intellectual horizons by participating in debate; and |
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WHEREAS, The Dallas Urban Debate Alliance was formed in 2007, |
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at a time when few public high school students in Dallas had access |
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to competitive policy debate programming; with support from the |
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National Association for Urban Debate Leagues, several individuals |
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with debate experience were recruited to be part of the new |
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organization; over the years, the Dallas Urban Debate Alliance has |
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expanded to dozens of high schools and middle schools, where it |
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serves more than 1,000 students; and |
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WHEREAS, Through the program, participants learn to conduct |
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in-depth research and to prepare arguments on complex policy |
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topics, and they are able to put their skills to the test at |
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tournaments; in 2015, two Dallas Urban Debate Alliance teams |
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received national recognition by advancing to the octofinal and |
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semifinal rounds at the Urban Debate National Championship, an |
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event that was attended by over 50 teams from around the country; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Students receive free materials and training from |
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some of the top coaches in the area, who in turn are provided with |
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supplies, continued curriculum support, and professional |
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development; those who excel in the program can earn scholarships |
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to attend camps at institutions such as The University of Texas at |
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Austin, the University of North Texas, the University of |
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California, Berkeley, Georgetown University, and Dartmouth |
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College; in addition, students enjoy many other benefits from |
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taking part in debate, including dramatically improved graduation |
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rates; studies have shown that student debaters also have higher |
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literacy scores and grade-point averages, and they perform better |
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on the reading and English sections of college readiness exams; and |
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WHEREAS, By helping young people to hone important |
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analytical, rhetorical, and research skills, the Dallas Urban |
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Debate Alliance is empowering students to achieve their full |
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academic potential and become engaged citizens and leaders in their |
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communities; 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 the Dallas Urban Debate Alliance and |
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extend sincere best wishes to all those involved in this worthwhile |
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program; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for the group as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
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House of Representatives. |