SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 408
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to
recognize Court Appointed Special Advocates of Travis County, also
known as CASA of Travis County, and its many dedicated volunteers,
who are celebrating the organization's 30th anniversary; and
WHEREAS, CASA of Travis County was created in 1985 to provide
assistance, encouragement, and support to children and youths who
are in the court system as a result of abuse or neglect; and
WHEREAS, CASA of Travis County is one of the largest CASA
programs in Texas and serves a greater percentage of children in
the county court system than any other major urban CASA program
in Texas; it has more than 600 volunteers who act as guardians ad
litem for more than 1,600 children each year; and
WHEREAS, CASA volunteers are unique among volunteers as
they are regarded with the same importance and value in the court
system as any professional lawyer or social worker; their
advocacy on behalf of young people and their responsibilities
under the Texas Family Code are substantial; and
WHEREAS, Some of Travis County's most intelligent,
compassionate, dedicated, and resourceful citizens volunteer for
the CASA program; their extensive training prepares them to serve
as education advocates for the school-aged children they serve; and
WHEREAS, CASA volunteers also work with teenagers leaving
the foster care system to help them become successful, independent
adults, and they work to reduce the disproportionate number of
African American children in the foster care system; and
WHEREAS, CASA of Travis County has won national
recognition for its innovative program to find long-lost
relatives to provide support and connection to youth in foster
care; and
WHEREAS, Over the last 30 years CASA of Travis County has
advocated for the best interests of more than 10,000 children who
have experienced abuse or neglect; and
WHEREAS, The CASA program and its dedicated volunteers
truly make a difference in the lives of many young people in
Travis County at a time when they are the most vulnerable, and the
support and encouragement these youths receive will continue to
have a positive impact on them for the rest of their lives; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 84th
Legislature, hereby commend CASA of Travis County and its many
volunteers for their selfless service and extend to them best wishes
for a wonderful 30th anniversary celebration; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared to
commemorate this significant occasion.
Watson
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on March 23, 2015.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate