TITLE: Commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas Texas State Court.

SUMMARY: Commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas Texas State Court.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Members of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas Texas State Court are celebrating the organization's 100th anniversary at its biennial convention, taking place April 20-23, 2017, in Corpus Christi; and WHEREAS, The Catholic Daughters of the Americas was founded in Utica, New York, in 1903 by John Carberry and several other members of the Knights of Columbus; dedicated to its motto of "Unity and Charity," this philanthropic and patriotic order for Catholic women quickly expanded with the creation of local courts throughout the country; and WHEREAS, The first local court in Texas, now known as the mother court, was established in Austin in 1909; the number of CDA groups in the Lone Star State increased over the next several years, and when the Texas State Court was organized on January 25, 1917, in Houston, it was made up of 12 charter courts; the state-level CDA organization has since grown to encompass 245 local courts, including 5 college-and university-level campus courts, and 68 Junior Catholic Daughter Courts, which accept young women ages 6 through 18; and WHEREAS, Drawing on the efforts of its more than 18,000 members, the Texas State Court has performed such charitable acts as building homes for Habitat for Humanity and sponsoring Memorial Mass enrollments, which raise more than $30,000 for scholarships each year; moreover, the group has promoted initiatives centered on youth and families and on women's health awareness, and it has provided generous support to the American Wheelchair Mission, Cameron Colonia, Casa Juan Diego, the Texas Disaster Relief Fund, and the Annunciation Maternity Home; and WHEREAS, Guided by their faith and values, the members of the Texas State Court of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas have made a lasting difference in their communities, and their achievements are indeed deserving of recognition on this important milestone in the organization's history; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas Legislature hereby commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas Texas State Court and extend to all those associated with the court sincere best wishes for continued success with their important work; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for the organization as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Herrero Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1220 was adopted by the House on April 13, 2017, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House