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      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