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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, For the past 25 years, the VAST Academy of Houston |
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Community College has effectively provided postsecondary education |
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to Texans with intellectual and developmental disabilities; and |
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WHEREAS, Launched in 1990 as one of the first programs of its |
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kind in the nation, the VAST Academy offers differently abled |
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individuals the chance to receive postsecondary vocational |
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training and to earn a meaningful credential that will enable them |
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to find work and achieve independence; students also receive |
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training in such life skills as computer literacy, work etiquette, |
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health and fitness, and financial literacy; the program provides |
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further enrichment through the student organization the Eagles |
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Club, which hosts a variety of notable events, including employment |
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workshops, a health and beauty expo, and a blood drive, and which |
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has consistently been named Student Organization of the Year; and |
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WHEREAS, The academy began with 55 students and one |
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instructor, and today it serves more than 150 students annually at |
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three locations in the Houston area; in addition to drawing |
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students from throughout the HCC district, the program offers a |
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residential option that has attracted students from across Texas |
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and around the nation; since its inception, the academy has |
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provided instruction to more than 3,000 men and women; and |
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WHEREAS, The VAST Academy has partnered with over 60 |
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companies and businesses in the region, and half of the program's |
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graduates each year find jobs in child care, animal care, |
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housekeeping, customer service, food service, and other types of |
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employment; and |
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WHEREAS, Over the past quarter-century, the HCC-VAST Academy |
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has continued to fulfill its critical mission, giving its students |
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the opportunity to feel the pride of achievement and helping them to |
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build fulfilling, productive, and independent lives; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas |
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Legislature hereby commend the Houston Community College VAST |
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Academy for providing quality postsecondary education to Texans |
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with intellectual and developmental disabilities and extend to the |
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staff and students of the academy sincere best wishes for continued |
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success in their important work; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for the VAST Academy as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |