85R20063 CJM-D
By: Herrero H.R. No. 1220
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Members of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas
Texas State Court are celebrating the organization's 100th
anniversary at its biennial convention, taking place April 20-23,
2017, in Corpus Christi; and
WHEREAS, The Catholic Daughters of the Americas was founded
in Utica, New York, in 1903 by John Carberry and several other
members of the Knights of Columbus; dedicated to its motto of "Unity
and Charity," this philanthropic and patriotic order for Catholic
women quickly expanded with the creation of local courts throughout
the country; and
WHEREAS, The first local court in Texas, now known as the
mother court, was established in Austin in 1909; the number of CDA
groups in the Lone Star State increased over the next several years,
and when the Texas State Court was organized on January 25, 1917, in
Houston, it was made up of 12 charter courts; the state-level CDA
organization has since grown to encompass 245 local courts,
including 5 college- and university-level campus courts, and 68
Junior Catholic Daughter Courts, which accept young women ages 6
through 18; and
WHEREAS, Drawing on the efforts of its more than 18,000
members, the Texas State Court has performed such charitable acts
as building homes for Habitat for Humanity and sponsoring Memorial
Mass enrollments, which raise more than $30,000 for scholarships
each year; moreover, the group has promoted initiatives centered on
youth and families and on women's health awareness, and it has
provided generous support to the American Wheelchair Mission,
Cameron Colonia, Casa Juan Diego, the Texas Disaster Relief Fund,
and the Annunciation Maternity Home; and
WHEREAS, Guided by their faith and values, the members of the
Texas State Court of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas have
made a lasting difference in their communities, and their
achievements are indeed deserving of recognition on this important
milestone in the organization's history; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
Legislature hereby commemorate the 100th anniversary of the
Catholic Daughters of the Americas Texas State Court and extend to
all those associated with the court sincere best wishes for
continued success with their important work; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the organization as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.