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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Many dedicated Texans are gathering in Austin on May |
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10, 2017, to take part in the inaugural Refugee Advocacy Day at the |
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State Capitol; and |
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WHEREAS, For decades, the Lone Star State has been a leading |
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destination for the resettlement of refugees; over 40,000 refugees |
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began making new lives in Texas between 2010 and 2015 alone; and |
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WHEREAS, The state has more than 20 refugee resettlement |
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offices, most of them with specific faith roots; multifaith |
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partners unite their efforts out of a mutual commitment to helping |
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vulnerable populations facing persecution, and in this endeavor, |
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they continue a tradition that has resulted in the resettlement of |
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hundreds of thousands of refugees in the United States since the end |
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of World War II; and |
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WHEREAS, Refugees undergo extensive, stringent screening |
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before they are admitted to the United States, and communities |
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across Texas have welcomed them as hardworking neighbors who bring |
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new energy and ideas that lead to innovation and economic |
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development; refugees demonstrate the resilience, determination, |
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and optimism that have always defined the American spirit, and over |
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the years, they have become taxpayers, business owners, and leaders |
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in a broad range of industries; and |
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WHEREAS, The advocates visiting the Capitol on this day |
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include community volunteers, organizations that serve refugees, |
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refugee leaders, and members of a wide variety of faith-based |
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organizations; in an era that has seen an unprecedented number of |
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refugees fleeing danger and oppression, it is indeed appropriate to |
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acknowledge those engaged in refugee resettlement for setting a |
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humanitarian example that is respected and admired around the |
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world; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize May 10, 2017, as Refugee Advocacy Day |
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at the State Capitol and extend to all those participating in this |
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event sincere best wishes for the future. |