Bill Text: TX HR1436 | 2021-2022 | 87th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: Honoring Vikki J. Martin for her service as founder and executive director of the Ferguson Road Initiative.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2021-05-31 - Reported enrolled [HR1436 Detail]
Download: Texas-2021-HR1436-Enrolled.html
| H.R. No. 1436 | ||
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| WHEREAS, Vikki J. Martin has greatly benefited residents of | ||
| Far East Dallas as founder and executive director of the Ferguson | ||
| Road Initiative; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Ms. Martin established the nonprofit organization | ||
| in 1998 to engage residents in addressing crime problems that had | ||
| led to urban blight, causing property values to diminish and | ||
| businesses to abandon the area; the group participated in the Weed | ||
| and Seed program of the U.S. Department of Justice from 2000 to | ||
| 2011, "weeding" out crime and "seeding" economic development and | ||
| social services; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Under the leadership of Ms. Martin, FRI has | ||
| partnered with local law enforcement agencies and neighborhood | ||
| organizations to reduce crime substantially, and it has pressured | ||
| absentee landlords to improve substandard conditions; in addition, | ||
| it has formed relationships with public schools to promote family | ||
| involvement, recruit volunteers, and provide after-school | ||
| programming and academic enrichment opportunities; the FRI bond | ||
| committee has secured more than $40 million over the years to | ||
| improve streets, bridges, and parks, mitigate flooding, and add | ||
| such amenities as a branch library and recreation center; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Signs of revitalization now abound in Far East | ||
| Dallas, with investment in retail and housing developments and | ||
| rising property values; supporting a diverse population of more | ||
| than 93,000, FRI continues to focus on quality of life while also | ||
| managing programs to stabilize vulnerable families; today, FRI | ||
| includes nearly 40 neighborhood associations, crime watch groups, | ||
| and other stakeholders; and | ||
| WHEREAS, An artist and retired educator, Ms. Martin taught | ||
| studio art and advanced placement art history at The Episcopal | ||
| School of Dallas for 34 years before her retirement in 2017; she has | ||
| resided in Far East Dallas for more than three decades; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Vikki Martin has made a lasting, positive difference | ||
| in her community through her vision, leadership, and unyielding | ||
| dedication, and her exceptional accomplishments have earned the | ||
| deep admiration and appreciation of her fellow citizens; now, | ||
| therefore, be it | ||
| RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas | ||
| Legislature hereby honor Vikki J. Martin for her service as founder | ||
| and executive director of the Ferguson Road Initiative and extend | ||
| to her sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further | ||
| RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be | ||
| prepared for Ms. Martin as an expression of high regard by the Texas | ||
| House of Representatives. | ||
| Crockett | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Speaker of the House | ||
| I certify that H.R. No. 1436 was adopted by the House on May | ||
| 26, 2021, by a non-record vote. | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Chief Clerk of the House | ||
