82R11371 JGH-D
By: Dutton H.R. No. 631
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The Fifth Ward Enrichment Program of Houston is
receiving the Outstanding Community Leader Award at the scholarship
banquet of the African American Legislative Summit in Austin on
February 28, 2011; and
WHEREAS, Presented by the Texas Legislative Black Caucus, the
award recognizes the efforts of FWEP to empower at-risk inner-city
males between the ages of 12 and 19 to become responsible and
productive members of their families and their community; and
WHEREAS, Founded in 1984, FWEP relies on an all-male staff to
serve as site coordinators in six Fifth Ward schools, where they
interact daily throughout the school year, as well as during a
seven-week summer program, with approximately 250 youth; the staff
serve as important role models and stress the value of education,
self-restraint, and goal-setting; and
WHEREAS, In addition to school-based projects, FWEP provides
group counseling, life skills workshops, and one-on-one mentoring,
all as part of a system of positive reinforcement to help
participants direct their energy toward meaningful and
constructive endeavors; FWEP youth also benefit from peer health
educators and a Teen Enterprise Center, which develops
entrepreneurial skills; moreover, the parent and family liaison
coordinates and mentors the parents and guardians of participants;
and
WHEREAS, For more than 25 years, the Fifth Ward Enrichment
Program has introduced countless young people to the values of
discipline, self-esteem, and personal accountability, and it is
truly deserving of special recognition for its holistic and
effective approach to youth development; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate the Fifth Ward Enrichment Program
on its receipt of the 2011 Outstanding Community Leader Award from
the Texas Legislative Black Caucus and extend to the program's
staff sincere best wishes for continued success with their
important work; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for FWEP as an expression of high regard by the Texas House
of Representatives.