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| 4 | 5 | | R E S O L U T I O N |
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| 5 | 6 | | WHEREAS, March 2, 2017, is being observed as Texas Head Start |
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| 6 | 7 | | Day at the State Capitol, and it is fitting to take this opportunity |
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| 7 | 8 | | to recognize the important work of the Texas Head Start |
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| 8 | 9 | | Association; and |
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| 9 | 10 | | WHEREAS, The Head Start Project was launched in 1965 with the |
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| 10 | 11 | | mission of advocating for early childhood development and education |
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| 11 | 12 | | through community programs, and its success led to the 1974 |
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| 12 | 13 | | founding of what would become the National Head Start Association; |
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| 13 | 14 | | over the years, the nonprofit has made a positive impact in the |
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| 14 | 15 | | lives of more than 32 million low-income and otherwise vulnerable |
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| 15 | 16 | | children and their families across the country; and |
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| 16 | 17 | | WHEREAS, Working in conjunction with the national |
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| 17 | 18 | | organization, the Texas association has organized Head Start |
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| 18 | 19 | | programs at schools, community centers, child care facilities, and |
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| 19 | 20 | | family child care homes across the Lone Star State; those |
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| 20 | 21 | | initiatives promote school readiness for children from birth to age |
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| 21 | 22 | | five by fostering a learning environment that focuses on the |
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| 22 | 23 | | development of social skills and emotional well-being, as well as |
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| 23 | 24 | | the teaching of language, literacy, and concept development; and |
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| 24 | 25 | | WHEREAS, In addition to preparing youngsters for preschool, |
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| 25 | 26 | | THSA is equally committed to ensuring they have a safe and |
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| 26 | 27 | | supportive family life; Early Head Start programs were created to |
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| 27 | 28 | | serve pregnant women, infants, and toddlers, and they are available |
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| 28 | 29 | | to families until the child turns three years old and is ready to |
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| 29 | 30 | | transition into Head Start or another pre-K program; moreover, the |
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| 30 | 31 | | initiative assists parents or legal guardians with finding |
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| 31 | 32 | | affordable medical, dental, and mental health services, as well as |
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| 32 | 33 | | with achieving such goals as housing stability, continued |
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| 33 | 34 | | education, and financial security; and |
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| 34 | 35 | | WHEREAS, The future of Texas depends largely on its children, |
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| 35 | 36 | | as the challenges of tomorrow will be met by the youth of today, and |
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| 36 | 37 | | the efforts of the Texas Head Start Association have helped to |
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| 37 | 38 | | strengthen families and communities throughout the state; now, |
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| 38 | 39 | | therefore, be it |
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| 39 | 40 | | RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas |
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| 40 | 41 | | Legislature hereby recognize March 2, 2017, as Texas Head Start Day |
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| 41 | 42 | | at the State Capitol and commend all those involved with the |
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| 42 | 43 | | organization for their contributions to the youth of the Lone Star |
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| 43 | 44 | | State; and, be it further |
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| 44 | 45 | | RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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| 45 | 46 | | prepared for the group as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
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| 46 | 47 | | House of Representatives. |
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