83R12132 LB-D
By: Naishtat H.R. No. 720
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The national service program AmeriCorps has proven
to be a highly effective way to engage Americans in a lifetime of
volunteerism while meeting a wide range of local and national
needs; and
WHEREAS, Since its inception in 1994, nearly 775,000 citizens
across the country and some 40,000 in Texas have taken the
AmeriCorps pledge to "get things done"; of the 80,000 individuals
serving in 2012, 3,265 were Texans; and
WHEREAS, Over the years, AmeriCorps Texas members have
accumulated more than 51 million hours in service, tutoring and
mentoring disadvantaged youth, fighting illiteracy, improving
health services, building affordable housing, teaching computer
skills, cleaning parks and streams, managing and operating
after-school programs, helping communities recover from disasters,
and supporting veterans and military families; and
WHEREAS, Working with over 2,200 nonprofit, community,
educational, and faith-based groups across the Lone Star State,
AmeriCorps Texas participants have earned more than $103 million in
Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards to help afford college or pay
back student loans; and
WHEREAS, AmeriCorps Week 2013, observed March 9-17, is an
opportune time to salute current and former AmeriCorps Texas
members for their tremendous contributions, to thank AmeriCorps
Texas community partners, and to encourage Texans to consider
serving in this outstanding program; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas
Legislature hereby recognize March 9-17, 2013, as AmeriCorps Week
and extend sincere appreciation to members of AmeriCorps Texas for
their significant efforts in behalf of the state.