H.R. No. 2425
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Justin Churchman of El Paso has won a national 2011
Prudential Spirit of Community Award, earning recognition as one of
the top 10 youth volunteers in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Sponsored by Prudential Financial and the National
Association of Secondary School Principals, the Spirit of Community
Awards honor young people in middle school and high school who have
demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to serving their
communities, and this year more than 29,000 teens from throughout
the country were considered for recognition; and
WHEREAS, Since 2006, Mr. Churchman has led an effort to build
houses for the poor in Juarez, Mexico, inspired by his experiences
building homes there with his school and the organization Casas por
Cristo, beginning at age 12; he was deeply gratified by the work and
decided to put together his own team of volunteers after the
violence in Juarez escalated and his school stopped making the
trips; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Churchman began the endeavor with five months of
planning and fund-raising, including writing letters and making
speeches to potential donors, obtaining international permits,
purchasing insurance, and determining the necessary supplies; he
received support from three companies and many individuals and
recruited 30 volunteers, and his team built a house in three days;
to date, he has raised more than $48,000 and recruited over 75
volunteers, and he reached his personal goal of completing 18
houses by his 18th birthday; and
WHEREAS, This outstanding young Texan has demonstrated
remarkable initiative and determination in the pursuit of a
selfless goal, and he is a source of inspiration to all who are
privileged to know him; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate Justin Churchman on being named one
of the top 10 youth volunteers in the nation for 2011 by the
Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program and extend to him
sincere best wishes for continued success with his important work;
and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mr. Churchman as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.
Margo
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 2425 was adopted by the House on May
30, 2011, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House