SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 216
WHEREAS, The annual State Civics Fair, a nonpartisan,
community-based event celebrating youth civic engagement, took
place on March 5, 2021; and
WHEREAS, The State Civics Fair is hosted by the Annette
Strauss Institute for Civic Life, a division of the Moody College
of Communication at The University of Texas at Austin; since
2002, the institute has coordinated the innovative civic
education program Speak Up Speak Out, which challenges third
grade through high school students to work together in groups to
identify community problems, develop solutions, and vie for the
opportunity to present their ideas to community leaders at the
State Civics Fair; the winning teams receive funds to use toward
implementing their ideas; and
WHEREAS, Approximately 9,000 students, 175 educators, and
92 schools have participated in the Speak Up Speak Out program
since its inception; over the past year, around 700 young Texans
worked to identify and brainstorm ways of addressing various
civic issues, including waste management, social isolation, and
public safety; and
WHEREAS, Out of all of this year's participants, 117 were
invited to showcase their solutions at the State Civics Fair; the
27 teams hailed from elementary, middle, and high schools in nine
cities, and each of their members earned distinction for
themselves through their hard work, initiative, and
thoughtfulness; and
WHEREAS, The Speak Up Speak Out program is helping young
people to develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need
to become the engaged citizens and leaders of tomorrow, and the
Annette Strauss Institute for Civic Life is to be commended for
its ongoing commitment to this important endeavor; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 87th
Legislature, hereby commemorate the 2021 State Civics Fair,
honor this year's talented participants, and extend sincere
thanks to the staff of the Annette Strauss Institute for Civic
Life for the guidance and support they have provided to our
future leaders.
Campbell, Menéndez
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on April 6, 2021.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate
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Member, Texas Senate