H.R. No. 850 R E S O L U T I O N WHEREAS, Heroes Night Out in Cedar Park is celebrating the fifth anniversary of the opening of its veterans resource center on July 26, 2015; and WHEREAS, Wes and Judy Pierce, the proud parents of 12 children, five of whom have served in the United States armed forces, founded Heroes Night Out in 2008 after visiting a wounded soldier at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio; the program initially donated gift cards to military personnel and their families, and its scope was later dramatically expanded to meet the even greater needs of veterans; and WHEREAS, In 2010, the Pierces acquired a 6,000-square-foot building from their church, Twin Lakes Fellowship, and within a year, they transformed the space into a resource center; today, the nonprofit provides support to more than 1,000 Central Texas servicemembers each month, assisting with VA claims, legal issues, housing, and employment as well as offering on-site psychiatrist visits and peer-to-peer counseling; in addition, the initiative participates in homebuilding projects and hosts a free dinner and magic show each month; and WHEREAS, Heroes Night Out has made a meaningful difference in the lives of countless veterans and their loved ones, and this occasion presents a welcome opportunity to honor this vital organization; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas Legislature hereby commemorate the fifth anniversary of the opening of the Heroes Night Out veterans resource center and extend to all those associated with the program sincere appreciation for their important work; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for the Pierce family as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Dale ______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 850 was adopted by the House on March 12, 2015, by a non-record vote. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House