SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 246
	WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to
	recognize Apolonia Alvarez-Lozano for her participation in the
	Arc of Texas' "Getting to the Heart of the Matter" program, which
	facilitates better understanding between lawmakers and
	constituents with intellectual and developmental disabilities;
	and
	WHEREAS, Apolonia Alvarez-Lozano has worked for three
	years as a support services assistant at Volar Center for
	Independent Living, one of 37 centers in Texas; and
	WHEREAS, At Volar, she assists in finding accessible and
	affordable apartments in the community for persons with
	disabilities; she also assists persons in applying for Social
	Security benefits, Medicaid, Medicare, and attendant services,
	and she collaborates with the Texas Department of Assistive and
	Rehabilitative Services to help individuals interested in
	developing job and vocational skills; and
	WHEREAS, Additionally, she works with El Paso area schools
	to advise and mediate on behalf of children who need services
	that will allow them to learn and to live independently in the
	future; and
	WHEREAS, Apolonia Alvarez-Lozano serves on the board of
	the Area Network for Disabilities and Aging and has assisted the
	El Paso Police Department's Gang Diversion Unit in its work with
	children at risk of becoming gang members; she is involved with
	CHiRP, a program designed to provide summer jobs for youths with
	disabilities, and she also participates in the Local Advocacy
	Collaboration in El Paso, a group which assists, organizes, and
	trains advocates who work on behalf of persons with disabilities;
	and
	WHEREAS, Apolonia Alvarez-Lozano participated in the
	"Getting to the Heart of the Matter" program, which paired El
	Paso policymakers with constituents with intellectual and
	developmental disabilities; and
	WHEREAS, As part of the program, she helped guide El Paso
	County Judge Veronica Escobar around El Paso via motorized
	runabout to experience the barriers that a person in a wheelchair
	faces on a daily basis; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 82nd
	Legislature, hereby commend Apolonia Alvarez-Lozano; and, be it
	further
	RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
	her as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate.
	Rodriguez
		________________________________
		President of the Senate
		I hereby certify that the
		above Resolution was adopted by
		the Senate on February 14, 2011.
		________________________________
		Secretary of the Senate
		________________________________
		Member, Texas Senate