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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Members of Texas Foster Youth, Inc., are working to |
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improve the lives of foster children and alumni in the state, and |
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their significant contributions are indeed worthy of special |
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commendation; and |
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WHEREAS, Texas Foster Youth is a nonprofit organization |
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composed entirely of individuals who have themselves been in the |
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foster care system; guided by those who understand firsthand the |
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challenges faced by such youth, the organization works to educate |
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policy makers and the general public about the specific needs and |
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concerns of this growing population and to advocate for improved |
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services; and |
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WHEREAS, Child abuse and neglect remain a pervasive problem, |
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with more than 67,000 confirmed cases in Texas in 2006 alone; that |
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same year, statistics show that the Texas Department of Family and |
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Protective Services maintained legal responsibility for some |
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31,000 children and youth; these individuals reside in one of |
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several foster care placements, including family foster homes, |
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kinship care, therapeutic foster homes, group homes, residential |
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treatment centers, and emergency shelters; although approximately |
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1,300 young Texans age out of foster care each year, they receive |
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some level of state support until they turn 21, in exchange for |
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meeting certain requirements; and |
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WHEREAS, Through their participation in Texas Foster Youth, |
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these caring young men and women draw on their own experiences and |
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insight to help others in need, and they serve as a vital resource |
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in the efforts to adequately protect, shelter, and nurture this |
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vulnerable segment of the population; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 80th Texas |
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Legislature hereby honor Texas Foster Youth, Inc., and commend all |
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those associated with that organization for their fine work; and, |
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be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Texas Foster Youth, Inc., as an expression of high |
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regard by the Texas House of Representatives. |
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Naishtat |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 1819 was adopted by the House on May |
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18, 2007, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |