88R31848 BPG-D
By: Johnson, West S.R. No. 3
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Resource Center is celebrating its 40th anniversary
in 2023, and this milestone offers a welcome opportunity to
recognize its enduring service to the North Texas LGBTQIA+
community and all people affected by HIV; and
WHEREAS, Established in 1983 as the Foundation for Human
Understanding, the organization's initial goal was achieving
recognition and equal rights for members of the area gay and lesbian
community; the onset of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in 1985 brought a new
level of urgency, and the group rose to the challenge by creating
the AIDS Resource Center to raise awareness and to offer preventive
education, legal services, emergency funding, and essentials such
as food and clothing; and
WHEREAS, The center launched the Nelson-Tebedo Health Clinic
in 1988 to deliver HIV testing, treatment, and clinical drug
trials; in the wake of a fire the following year, the clinic and
food pantry remained on Cedar Springs Road, while the rest of the
organization moved into the former Metropolitan Community Church
site on Reagan Street; the Foundation for Human Understanding
changed its name to Resource Center of Dallas in 1998 and adopted
its present name in 2013; and
WHEREAS, Today, as a United Way agency, Resource Center
operates the John Thomas LGBT Community Center, named in honor of
its first executive director, and a Health Campus providing
nutritional services, including a food pantry and hot meals, as
well as HIV case management and insurance assistance; the center is
a leader in HIV/AIDS education and services and provides a full
spectrum of STI screenings, treatments, and prevention
information; in addition, the center connects clients with
behavioral, dental, and mental health care; among its numerous
initiatives are GenderBrave, Grupo Orgullo Hispano, Fuse, THRIVE,
United Black Ellument, Women with Pride, and Youth First; moreover,
the center recently broke ground on Oak Lawn Place, an 84-unit
senior housing development; and
WHEREAS, One of the nation's largest LGBTQIA+ community
organizations, Resource Center has a staff of more than 70 members,
assisted by over 1,200 volunteers; more than 62,000 people benefit
from its programs annually; and
WHEREAS, Over the past four decades, Resource Center has
improved the lives of countless North Texas residents, thereby
strengthening families and communities, and it is sure to remain an
essential resource in the years ahead; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 88th Texas Legislature
hereby congratulate Resource Center on its 40th anniversary and
extend to all those associated with the organization sincere best
wishes for the future; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the center as an expression of high regard by the Texas
Senate.