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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Patrick Bresette retired as executive director of |
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Children's Defense Fund-Texas in April 2023, drawing to a close an |
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exemplary career in public policy spanning more than three decades; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Appointed executive director in 2014, Mr. Bresette |
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was instrumental in securing millions of dollars in dedicated |
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funding to support the organization's mission; he built a strong |
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team by fostering a culture of compassion and care, enabling staff |
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members to make a significant positive impact even during |
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exceptionally challenging times; under his leadership, the Texas |
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office expanded direct child health outreach and enrollment, and it |
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increased advocacy and organizing efforts in behalf of the |
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uninsured; moreover, it developed a new youth civic education and |
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engagement initiative and served as a voice for immigrant children |
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and families; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Bresette previously served as executive |
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director of Public Works, a nonprofit organization committed to |
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promoting greater understanding and appreciation of the vital role |
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of the public sector and civic responsibility; he traveled |
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nationally to help leaders and activists around the country make a |
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compelling case for public systems and structures at the local, |
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state, and federal levels; from 1991 to 2004, he served as associate |
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director of the Austin-based Center for Public Policy Priorities, |
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where he launched the Texas Kids Count Initiative and guided the |
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organization's child advocacy work; and |
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WHEREAS, Dedicated to assisting low-income Texas families, |
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Mr. Bresette led statewide coalitions to advance shared |
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legislative priorities, and he testified before state house and |
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senate committees and administrative hearings; he has been much in |
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demand as a consultant, speaker, and trainer; and |
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WHEREAS, A Washington, D.C., native, Mr. Bresette earned a |
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bachelor's degree in fine arts in sculpture from the New York State |
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College of Ceramics at Alfred University; he went on to complete a |
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master's degree at The University of Texas at Austin LBJ School of |
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Public Affairs; his retirement will afford him more time to spend |
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with his treasured family and to pursue such interests as |
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carpentry, design, neon art and sculpture, cooking, barbecuing, and |
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gardening; and |
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WHEREAS, Patrick Bresette devoted his career to creating |
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positive social change and improving the lives of children and |
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families, and as he embarks on the next exciting chapter of his |
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life, he may indeed reflect with pride on his contributions; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas |
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Legislature hereby congratulate Patrick Bresette on his retirement |
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as executive director of Children's Defense Fund-Texas and extend |
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to him 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 Mr. Bresette as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |
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Talarico |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 1730 was adopted by the House on May |
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12, 2023, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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