TITLE: Recognizing January 30, 2013, as CASA Day at the State Capitol.

SUMMARY: Recognizing January 30, 2013, as CASA Day at the State Capitol.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to honor Texas Court Appointed Special Advocates and to recognize January 30, 2013, as CASA Day at the State Capitol; and WHEREAS, CASA is a national volunteer movement, begun in 1975, that enlists community volunteers to serve as court advocates for abused and neglected children; these volunteers research the child's situation, provide critical information and recommendations to judges about what is best for the child, and help ensure that children in the foster care system find safe, permanent homes as soon as possible; and WHEREAS, The first CASA program in Texas began in Dallas in 1979; Texas CASA was formed in 1989 and provides funding, training, technical assistance, coordination, and strategic tools and assistance to local CASA programs statewide; and WHEREAS, There are 69 local CASA organizations and thousands of volunteer advocates throughout the State of Texas; dedicated to giving children in the foster care system hope for a better future, CASA volunteers provide courts with the information they need to make well-informed decisions in child protective services cases, and their efforts help ensure that the state's child protection system functions as intended; and WHEREAS, All those associated with CASA are truly deserving of recognition for their service to the State of Texas, its courts, and its children; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 83rd Legislature, hereby proclaim January 30, 2013, as CASA Day at the State Capitol and commend the organization for its noble efforts to aid abused and neglected children; and, be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate. Nelson President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on January 30, 2013.