H.R. No. 578
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Lone Star Court Appointed Special Advocates
celebrated the 20th anniversary of its expansion into Kaufman
County in 2024; and
WHEREAS, The organization is part of a national volunteer
movement that began in 1977 and enlists local community volunteers
to support children and families involved in the foster care
system; beginning in 1979 with the first CASA program in Dallas, and
followed by the formation of Texas CASA in 1989, judges and
communities across the state have worked to grow CASA's reach; and
WHEREAS, Lone Star CASA was founded in 1992 under the name
CASA of Rockwall County; prior to its introduction to the
community, Kaufman County lacked a dedicated child advocacy network
and often relied solely on the appointment of an attorney ad litem
in child abuse cases; recognizing this critical resource gap, the
organization worked with Texas CASA to initiate the approval
process for the extension of its service area; in 2004, the
organization formally launched in Kaufman County, and it was
renamed Lone Star CASA in reflection of its broadened mission; and
WHEREAS, Under the guidance of former executive director
Lucille Bell, the Lone Star CASA board worked tirelessly to build a
local presence, engaging with judges and community members,
recruiting volunteers, and opening a physical office space; as the
area has grown, the organization has since seen a substantial
increase in the number of cases it receives, and in 2024, its
volunteers served in 90 cases and assisted nearly 170 children in
Kaufman County; and
WHEREAS, Today, Lone Star CASA benefits from the able
guidance of its executive director, Lauren Rowe; its efforts are
also aided by its board of directors, which includes president
Sandra Ownby, vice president Donald Prentiss, secretary Kim
Campbell, treasurer Bryan Decker, and members Brenda Avenetti,
Jason LeBoeuf, Toni Gibbs, Robbie Pitts, and Natalie Read; and
WHEREAS, Over the past two decades, volunteers with Lone Star
CASA have made an immeasurable difference in the lives of numerous
young Texans in Kaufman County, and this noteworthy milestone
offers a fitting opportunity to recognize the organization for its
commendable work; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas
Legislature hereby commemorate the 20th anniversary of Lone Star
Court Appointed Special Advocates establishing services in Kaufman
County 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 Lone Star CASA as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.
Bell of Kaufman
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 578 was adopted by the House on March
31, 2025, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House