SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 456
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and
recognizes the Texas launch of the Justice for Girls initiative
sponsored by the Southern Christian Leadership Conference; and
WHEREAS, The Southern Christian Leadership Conference has
long promoted solutions to racism, violence, and human rights
abuses; the Justice for Girls program is a natural outgrowth of
that mission; it is designed to heighten awareness and educate
the public about the growing problem of sex trafficking in our
communities; and
WHEREAS, Justice for Girls presents seminars, workshops,
discussions, and public forums to examine and foster solutions to
this deplorable national trend, which claims tens of thousands of
girls and young women each year; and
WHEREAS, The Interfaith Children's Movement reported in
2009 that the Federal Bureau of Investigation had determined that
the sexual exploitation of children has become the third largest
moneymaker for organized crime; and
WHEREAS, This grave problem is an extremely sensitive and
painful topic, and public education and discourse about the issue
are essential to finding a solution; the trafficking of children
has reached epidemic proportions, and programs such as Justice
for Girls are vital in stopping this unconscionable and violent
theft of innocence and freedom; and
WHEREAS, The newly established Texas affiliate of this
nationwide initiative is headquartered in Fort Worth and led by
executive director Tonya Tatum; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 83rd
Legislature, hereby commend the newly formed Texas affiliate of
Justice for Girls and extend to its organizers and supporters
sincere best wishes as they address the serious issue of sexual
exploitation and trafficking in our communities; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for the
organization as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate.
Davis
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on March 13, 2013.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate