83R18172 JWI-D
By: Workman H.C.R. No. 95
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Longhorn Leaders program, an initiative of the
Greater Austin Crime Commission, is celebrating its 10th
anniversary in 2013; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Michael Lauderdale and Fred Ligarde, both board
members of the commission, collaborated with The University of
Texas School of Social Work to develop the Longhorn Leaders youth
outreach program, which creates a dialogue between university
students and seventh graders; and
WHEREAS, Middle-school youth are at a crucial point in their
development, and the decisions they make during this time in their
lives can affect their transition into early adulthood; because
they are more susceptible to influence and face peer pressure and
greater access to drugs and alcohol, alternative and positive
encouragement can go a long way in counteracting potential negative
forces; university athletes are especially effective role models
for students at this age because of their visibility in college
sports, their name recognition, and their proximity in age to
participants in the program; and
WHEREAS, During the course of a semester, Longhorn Leaders
give several presentations at each school, discussing their life
circumstances and how the difficult decisions they had to make when
they were younger have affected their present-day lives; while
making personal connections with the middle schoolers, university
students emphasize the importance of setting goals and promote the
values of teamwork and discipline; they receive course credit for
participating, and they often find themselves transformed as they
work to transform the lives of others; and
WHEREAS, Since fall 2003, the Greater Austin Crime Commission
has partnered with the UT Athletics Department and the Austin
Independent School District to offer the Longhorn Leaders program
at seven middle schools and three elementary schools throughout
Austin and at the Gardner Betts Juvenile Justice Center as well; and
WHEREAS, More than 300 University of Texas students have
participated in the Longhorn Leaders program, including David Ash,
T. J. Ford, Cat Osterman, Colt McCoy, Quan Cosby, Erin Phenix, Kevin
Durant, Sonya Richards, Aaron Ross, Kasey Studdard, and Vince
Young; and
WHEREAS, By connecting with Austin youth during a critical
period in their lives and encouraging them to see the values of
leadership and smart decision-making, the Longhorn Leaders program
has made a positive difference in the lives of countless young
Texans; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 83rd Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby congratulate the Longhorn Leaders program on its 10th
anniversary and commend the Greater Austin Crime Commission and its
partners, the Motorola Solutions Foundation and the University
Federal Credit Union, for their important work; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the Greater Austin Crime Commission as an expression
of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate.