84R21322 CJM-D
By: Moody H.R. No. 1903
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The opening of GiGi's Playhouse El Paso on April 19,
2015, provides a fitting opportunity to recognize this outstanding
organization and its successful partnership with the Junior League
of El Paso, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, GiGi's Playhouse is an international organization
that was founded in 2003 in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, by Nancy
Gianni after her daughter, GiGi, was born with Down syndrome;
GiGi's Playhouse offers free educational and therapeutic programs
to children and adults of all ages who have been diagnosed with Down
syndrome; its curriculum, which was designed by teachers and
clinicians, focuses on advancing literacy, math, motor, and social
skills as well as on building self-esteem; the centers also provide
important opportunities for family networking and support; last
year, GiGi's Playhouse served more than 25,000 participants in 22
cities in the United States and Mexico; and
WHEREAS, The first location in the Lone Star State, GiGi's
Playhouse El Paso was founded by Maggie Moody, who wanted to honor
her daughter, Melissa, an adult with Down syndrome, and to bring the
organization's invaluable services to area families affected by
Down syndrome; the Junior League of El Paso, Inc., adopted the
project for 2014-2015, committing both financial assistance and
volunteer hours to the development of the center; league members
visited the original Playhouse in Illinois and met with the
organization's founder and local participants; in anticipation of
the center's opening, a highly successful gala was held in El Paso
on March 20, 2015, with special guest speaker Lauren Potter from the
television show Glee; the actress, who has Down syndrome herself,
also appeared at a meet-and-greet breakfast at Scotsdale Elementary
School during World Down Syndrome Day; and
WHEREAS, By empowering individuals with Down syndrome and by
raising awareness in the community about how much those with Down
syndrome can achieve, GiGi's Playhouse is making a positive
difference in countless lives, and members of the Junior League of
El Paso, Inc., can take great pride in the role they have played in
making this important resource available to area Texans; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
Legislature hereby welcome GiGi's Playhouse to the Lone Star State
and commend Nancy Gianni, Maggie Moody, and the Junior League of El
Paso, Inc., for their support in bringing this project to fruition.