H.R. No. 99
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The Amarillo Wesley Community Center is celebrating
its 70th anniversary in 2021, and this is a fine opportunity to pay
tribute to the nonprofit's outstanding contributions to the
community; and
WHEREAS, The center was first established in 1951 and
incorporated in 1972; in its early years, Maria Fields and a group
of women volunteers from Polk Street United Methodist Church
offered classes in English as a second language, sewing, and arts
and crafts, as well as athletic programs for young people and day
care services for children; the center continued to grow under the
leadership of executive directors Jacinto Alderete, who served for
32 years, and Belinda Gonzalez Taylor, who served for 15 years; and
WHEREAS, Today, the center offers a wide variety of services
for area residents of all ages, including therapy services for
individuals, married couples, and families; its children's
programs include day care, an after school program, and a summer
camp, while teens may take advantage of the "Behind the Scenes"
Modeling and Mentoring Program and Wesley Club Wrestling;
opportunities for senior citizens include field trips, potluck
meals, a sewing club, games, and exercise activities; and
WHEREAS, The day-to-day functions of the center are overseen
by executive director Liz Rason Alaniz and her staff, which
includes CCS/ECDC billing manager Larisa Olvera, finance director
Christina Hamilton, financial operations manager Sonia Sanchez,
billing and grants manager Flavia Erives, fund development manager
Jennifer Steele, youth development director Brenda Fernandez,
senior citizens director Karla DeSantiago, mental health director
Leticia Ruiz, and children's program director Lucinda Frausto; and
WHEREAS, The center also benefits from the oversight of its
board of directors, led by president Dixie Surratt, treasurer
Walter Webb, and secretary Pam Zwickey, with the contributions of
board members the Reverend Paul Bauernfeind, Jerry Branch, Cole
Fjetland, Javier Herrera, Jordan Herrera, Tomas Jaramillo, Robert
Ruiz, Manny de Los Santos, Adam Stone, Joe Dan Wilson, and Patricia
Thomson; the center's Foundation Board is led by president Daniel
Martinez and includes members Ernesto Sanchez, Isabel Ramon, Abe
Lopez, George Veloz, Richard Gower, Todd Wetsel, and liaison Walter
Webb; and
WHEREAS, Over the past seven decades, the Amarillo Wesley
Community Center has made a positive difference in the lives of
countless individuals and families, and its longevity is a tribute
to the dedication of its leadership and staff, past and present;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas
Legislature, 2nd Called Session, hereby commemorate the 70th
anniversary of the Amarillo Wesley Community Center and extend to
all those associated with the center sincere best wishes for
continued success in their important work; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the Amarillo Wesley Community Center as an expression
of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.
Price
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 99 was adopted by the House on August
30, 2021, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House