AUSTIN, Texas—A massive beautification project in East Austin reflecting the volunteer spirit of students, staff and faculty of The University of Texas at Austin was praised in the Texas House of Representatives on Wednesday (Feb. 14).
Texas Rep. Elliott Naishtat, D-Austin, presented House Resolution No. 249 in the House chambers recognizing the more than 2,000 members of the UT Austin community who are planning to work together with East Austin residents in a beautification project from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday (Feb. 17). They will clean and beautify a neighborhood park, an elementary school and homes of elderly and disabled residents during what Naishtat described as “a day of service to the Austin community.”
Student volunteers and UT Austin staff representatives present in the House chambers during Naishtat’s presentation were applauded following the reading of the resolution.
About 2,000 people from the UT Austin community volunteered for the project last year. This year, groups of students from Huston-Tillotson College and Sims Elementary School also will participate, helping in painting two larger murals on a wall of the elementary school gymnasium.
For additional information about Project 2001, contact Glen Baumgart, Office of the Dean of Students, or student coordinator Shannon Trilli at (512) 471-6161. Volunteers from the UT Austin community may sign up at www.utvolunteer.org
House Resolution No. 249 reads as follows:
“WHEREAS, Students, faculty, and staff of The University of Texas at Austin are joining together on February 17, 2001, for Project 2001, a day of service to the Austin community; and
WHEREAS, Project 2001 is marshaling the efforts of more than 2,000 individuals from the Austin campus for work in behalf of an East Austin neighborhood; volunteers will be pooling their skills and labor as they undertake several different assignments; and
WHEREAS, One large contingent of workers will be clearing undeveloped areas of a neighborhood park, mulching new trails, and performing other landscaping tasks; a second group will be cleaning, painting, and landscaping nearby Sims Elementary School, while a third crew will be offering lawn care and minor home repairs to neighborhood residents in need of assistance; and
WHEREAS, This laudable project is made possible by support from Keep Austin Beautiful and from Home Depot, whose help with this worthy endeavor is greatly appreciated; and
WHEREAS, One of the primary objectives of our universities is to prepare students to become productive members of the community, and it is especially appropriate that publicly supported institutions seek ways to contribute to the common welfare; the students, faculty, and staff participating in Project 2001 exemplify the public-spirited outlook that is so essential to a sound society, and it is a pleasure to commend them for their service at this time; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas Legislature hereby recognize The University of Texas at Austin’s Project 2001 and the admirable work of all those associated with this fine effort.”
