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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Vedha Vaddaraju is being presented with a First |
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Lady's Youth Volunteer Rising Star Award at the Governor's |
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Volunteer Awards reception at the Texas Governor's Mansion on April |
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19, 2023; and |
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WHEREAS, Administered by OneStar, the Texas state service |
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commission, this prestigious awards program honors exemplary |
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service by those who have made significant and measurable |
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contributions to Texas communities; the First Lady's Youth |
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Volunteer Rising Star category recognizes Texans 18 years of age |
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and younger who demonstrate leadership, commitment to service, and |
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the ability to inspire others of all ages to serve; and |
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WHEREAS, Vedha Vaddaraju, a student at Plano West Senior High |
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School, cofounded Letters of Gold with her best friend; early in the |
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COVID-19 pandemic, they launched the initiative to brighten the |
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days of health care workers by sending letters of encouragement; |
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the positive response led them to expand their efforts; forming |
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chapters in many local schools, and enlisting other volunteers from |
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around the world, they have coordinated and facilitated numerous |
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letter writing campaigns through the Letters of Gold website; and |
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WHEREAS, Since its inception, Letters of Gold has provided |
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thousands of caring messages to people in need of motivation or a |
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meaningful connection, including domestic violence survivors, |
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cancer patients, Afghan refugees, and residents of senior housing; |
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Ms. Vaddaraju has offered monthly training sessions for other |
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youngsters to foster civic engagement, and she has used her |
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platform for other worthy endeavors, such as a book drive for Dallas |
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Independent School District libraries; and |
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WHEREAS, Demonstrating leadership and compassion, Vedha |
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Vaddaraju has helped lift the spirits of countless people, and her |
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work in behalf of Letters of Gold has made her a role model for her |
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peers; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas |
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Legislature hereby congratulate Vedha Vaddaraju on her receipt of a |
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2023 First Lady's Youth Volunteer Rising Star Award and extend to |
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her sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Ms. Vaddaraju as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |