TITLE: Congratulating the Valley Association for Independent Living on receiving the 2023 Martha Arbuckle Award from the Texas Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities Lex Frieden Awards program.

SUMMARY: Congratulating the Valley Association for Independent Living on receiving the 2023 Martha Arbuckle Award from the Texas Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities Lex Frieden Awards program.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The Valley Association for Independent Living in McAllen received the Martha Arbuckle Award from the Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities at its Lex Frieden Employment Awards ceremony on October 26, 2023; and WHEREAS, Each October, in conjunction with National Disability Employment Awareness Month, the Governor's Committee recognizes Texans who have dedicated themselves to empowering their employees, coworkers, and fellow Texans with disabilities; the awards program is named in tribute to disability rights expert Lex Frieden, one of the chief architects of the Americans with Disabilities Act; and WHEREAS, The Martha Arbuckle Award recognizes an innovative local community project and is presented in memory of Martha Arbuckle, who was a longtime disability advocate in Austin; and WHEREAS, The Valley Association for Independent Living fosters job opportunities for individuals with disabilities by collaborating with service providers, educational institutions, commercial businesses, and supportive organizations; managed and staffed by individuals with disabilities, VAIL helps its clients identify career opportunities, participate in job fairs, earn certifications, access assistive technology, and work toward permanent employment; and WHEREAS, Through its outstanding contributions, VAIL has advanced the mission of building an inclusive, accessible work environment for Texans with disabilities, and it is richly deserving of this prestigious accolade; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas Legislature, 4th Called Session, hereby congratulate the Valley Association for Independent Living on receiving the 2023 Martha Arbuckle Award from the Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities Lex Frieden Employment Awards program and extend to all those associated with the organization sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for VAIL as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Guerra Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 69 was adopted by the House on December 5, 2023, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House