H.R. No. 587
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Ian McKenna, an eighth grader at Kealing Middle
School, has made a positive difference in his community through his
efforts to address hunger in the Austin area; and
WHEREAS, This outstanding young Texan was inspired to perform
his first act of philanthropy back in 2012; his sister Addison told
him about a first-grade classmate of hers who didn't receive
presents from Santa because of her family's financial difficulties,
and Ian decided to help; on Christmas morning, he and his family
showed up at the girl's door with a trunk full of toys and food for
her family; and
WHEREAS, Ian soon discovered that some of his fellow students
were going hungry on a daily basis; in March 2013, he started a
garden at Oak Hill Elementary, making it available to anyone who
wanted to use it; he later built a second garden at Sunset Valley
Elementary, and with the support of a grant from the nonprofit
Katie's Krops, he created a third garden in his own backyard,
cultivating a variety of vegetables, including tomatoes, sweet
potatoes, okra, cauliflower, and broccoli; in the first year, he
harvested 750 pounds of produce and donated it directly to families
in need and to such organizations as the Central Texas Food Bank;
and
WHEREAS, Desiring to do more, Ian decided to organize a
dinner to raise awareness of the hunger many Americans face; held at
El Buen Samaritano on January 21, 2017, the dinner featured
vegetables from Ian's garden as well as food donated by Keep Austin
Fed and Trader Joe's; the popular event drew hundreds of attendees
from all around Austin, including elected officials; and
WHEREAS, Texas is fortunate to have passionate and engaged
residents like Ian McKenna, whose history of civic involvement,
remarkable for someone of any age, serves as an inspiration to all
who know him; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
Legislature hereby commend Ian McKenna for his invaluable
contributions to the community and extend to him sincere best
wishes for continued success with his important work; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Ian as an expression of high regard by the Texas House
of Representatives.
Workman
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 587 was adopted by the House on March
2, 2017, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House