88R10887 BHH-D
By: A. Johnson of Harris H.R. No. 270
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, For nearly three decades, Karen Kennard has worked
tirelessly in behalf of Texas children; and
WHEREAS, Since 2020, Ms. Kennard has served as director of
training and education at The Children's Assessment Center in
Houston, an advocacy center that addresses the needs of sexually
abused children and their families; she conducts workshops on
topics concerning The CAC, child abuse, and child abuse prevention,
and she has been invited into area schools to teach students how to
recognize unsafe situations, protect themselves from predators,
and report abuse; in 2022 alone, her team at The CAC trained more
than 36,000 community members, staff, and partners; prior to
assuming her current role, she was facilitator of the Child Sexual
Abuse Review Team for 16 years; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Kennard was previously employed by the Texas
Department of Family and Protective Services-Child Protective
Services, where she was a child abuse investigator specializing in
cases involving sexual abuse; moreover, she was an adjunct faculty
member for the Harris County Children's Protective Services
Training Institute, and she has led the Child Safety Check Alert
List class for the Houston Police Department since 2016; and
WHEREAS, In addition to her professional responsibilities,
Ms. Kennard gives generously of her time and expertise to a number
of task forces and committees, including the Harris County Child
Abuse Task Force Board, the Harris County Interagency Victims
Council, and the Harris County Youth and Family Services Conference
Steering Committee; she is a former member of the San Jacinto
College Board on Intern Placements, the Houston Community College
Advisory Board for the Accelerated Teacher Certification Program,
and the Students of Success Agenda Board; a graduate of The
University of Texas at Austin, Ms. Kennard holds a bachelor's
degree in psychology; and
WHEREAS, Over the course of her distinguished career, Karen
Kennard has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to ensuring the
safety and well-being of children, and in so doing, she has greatly
benefited countless young Texans and their families; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature hereby commend Karen Kennard on her exemplary record of
service in behalf of Texas children and extend to her sincere best
wishes for the future; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Ms. Kennard as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.