SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 1021
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to
recognize Mrs. Rose Lancaster for her many years of community
service and her efforts to better the health and welfare of
Texans; and
WHEREAS, During her 15 years as executive director of
Extend-A-Care, Mrs. Lancaster executed her vision to expand from
a single after-school day care program to 35 program centers in
area schools where children could learn and be cared for in a safe
environment; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Lancaster contributed to school integration
through her work with integrated summer camp programs which laid
the groundwork for fully integrated school systems in Texas; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Lancaster was elected the first woman elder
in her local church and the first woman moderator of Mission
Presbytery, the regional church organization; and
WHEREAS, She contributed to the success and firm
establishment of Manos de Cristo by serving as Interim Executive
Director and stewarding the organization, which today offers a
variety of dental, education, food and clothing programs to
assist those living in poverty; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Lancaster has served as a volunteer for no
fewer than 20 community organizations, civic commissions,
panels, and boards, which have addressed issues that have
included health, safety, spirituality, poverty, indigent care,
women's health and homelessness; and
WHEREAS, This outstanding civic leader also served as a
founding board member of the Capitol Area Homeless Alliance,
which later became the nonprofit organization Front Steps, where
she has guided the development of programs and services for
homeless persons; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Lancaster served as a driving force behind
the development of the Austin Resource Center for the Homeless by
the City of Austin to provide overnight emergency shelter and
case management services for the most vulnerable of Austin's
homeless; and
WHEREAS, She has also worked to create the Central Texas
Recuperative Care Program through Front Steps to address the need
for additional medical respite for medically vulnerable homeless
men and women being dismissed from hospitals; and
WHEREAS, Her dedication to finding solutions to the
problem of homelessness has had a significant impact on countless
lives in Austin, and her efforts have ensured that each year some
9,000 homeless individuals find safe shelter and a pathway out of
homelessness; she is truly deserving of recognition of her
lifelong contributions to her Austin community and to all Texans;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 82nd
Legislature, hereby commend Mrs. Rose Lancaster for her service
above self, her volunteer spirit, and her commitment to
addressing homelessness in Austin; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
her as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate.
Watson
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on May 17, 2011.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate