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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Joan Karff's Women on the Way Up has enriched the |
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lives of many young residents of the Houston area; and |
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WHEREAS, In 2001, the innovative program was established at |
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Lamar High School by Joan Karff, longtime proprietor of Joan |
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Karff's New Dance Group; she chose 10 young women annually to mentor |
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and offered them exposure to culture, the arts, and current events; |
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before her death in 2016, she selected a successor to carry on her |
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work and further the mission of the organization; and |
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WHEREAS, JKWOWU awards $1,000 scholarships and donates |
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laptops to promising Lamar High School graduates from underserved |
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backgrounds; recipients participate in a year-long program that |
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nurtures their interests in culture and the arts, and fosters the |
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development of skills to make wise choices; and |
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WHEREAS, Each week, the group of 10 seniors meets to explore |
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the worlds of art, dance, theater, and classical music; they enjoy |
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cultural activities and hear about a variety of careers from |
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accomplished professionals; the students are encouraged to follow |
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political and social matters by reading local newspapers, listening |
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to news reports, and researching sources of information; in |
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addition, they discuss the issues of the day and consider such |
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topics as self-esteem, money management, parenting, and |
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relationships; and |
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WHEREAS, Since its inception, the organization has provided |
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more than $220,000 in assistance with college expenses for students |
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headed to schools all across the country, from Prairie View A&M and |
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Baylor Universities to Bryn Mawr College and the University of |
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Southern California; a number of its alumnae have gone on to earn |
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graduate degrees, while others have joined the workforce right |
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after college; they have entered such fields as law, finance, |
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nursing, and education, and some have become entrepreneurs; and |
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WHEREAS, Joan Karff's Women on the Way Up has helped open |
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pathways of opportunity for numerous Lamar High School students, |
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allowing them to become more well-rounded, engaged, and productive |
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citizens of the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas |
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Legislature hereby honor Joan Karff's Women on the Way Up for its |
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contributions and extend to all those associated with the |
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organization sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it |
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further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for the organization as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |