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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Joanne Huffstetler of Plano has distinguished |
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herself as a member of the Texas Partners in Policymaking Class of |
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2025; and |
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WHEREAS, Organized by the Texas Council for Developmental |
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Disabilities, Texas Partners in Policymaking is a leadership |
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training program designed to empower adults with developmental |
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disabilities and their families as advocates for policy change; |
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over the course of seven months, participants learn about |
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disability history, systems, and policy while meeting with a |
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variety of subject matter experts; many graduates have gone on to |
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serve on various boards, councils, task forces, and advisory |
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committees, and some have run for public office; and |
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WHEREAS, As part of the program, Ms. Huffstetler created a |
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capstone project dedicated to addressing the housing crisis in |
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Texas for individuals with disabilities; by collaborating with |
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advocacy groups and meeting with legislators, she is working toward |
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the primary goal of increasing wages for direct support |
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professionals so that families can keep their loved ones within |
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their communities; and |
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WHEREAS, Ms. Huffstetler holds a master's degree in human |
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development and early childhood disorders, and during her more than |
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30-year career as an early intervention specialist, she has served |
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as a program administrator and director; she is currently the |
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director of operations at To Be Like Me, a nonprofit organization |
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that focuses on disability awareness; and |
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WHEREAS, By taking part in the Texas Partners in Policymaking |
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program, Joanne Huffstetler has developed the knowledge and skills |
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necessary to effect positive change in her community and beyond, |
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and it is a pleasure to join in recognizing her for this notable |
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accomplishment; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas |
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Legislature hereby congratulate Joanne Huffstetler on graduating |
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as a member of the Texas Partners in Policymaking Class of 2025 and |
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extend to 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. Huffstetler as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |