Dennis

DEAF AWARENESS MONTH IN TEXAS   For the last three years, I have requested that the cities of Baytown and Mont Belvieu, along with Chambers County, Texas, proclaim September as Deaf Awareness Month. Each year, all three have complied with the request. In August 2024, I decided to explore the possibility of taking action at the state level. I contacted the office of my Texas House Representative, Terri Leo Wilson. The next day, her Chief of Staff emailed me back saying that it was too late that year, the legislature was not in session. However, during the next session (2025), they could introduce a resolution proclaiming September Deaf Awareness Month for the next ten years. In January, I emailed the Chief of Staff to remind them about the resolution.  On January 28, I was informed that HCR 12 had been introduced, and they would work to move it through the legislative process. On March 10, I was notified that the resolution had been referred to the House of Representatives’ Human Services Committee.  On March 13, I was notified that the Resolution HCR 12 had been scheduled for a reading on March 18. On March 18, Rhonda Richardson and I were privileged to attend a hearing in Austin and testify before the House of Representatives’ Human Services Committee (something I never even dreamed that I would do). On March 25, HCR 12 was reported favorably w/o amendment(s) out of the Human Services Committee. On May 1, HCR 12 was adopted by the Texas House of Representatives. On to the Senate May 5 received from the House May 7   Reported favorably w/o amendments May 9, HCR 12 was adopted by the Senate May 12, HCR 12 was signed by the House and Senate May 24, HCR 12 was signed by Governor Greg Abbott   Resolution HCR 12 proclaims September Deaf Awareness Month in Texas for the next ten years.   I want to thank my Texas State Representative, Terri Leo Wilson, and her staff for all the hard work they did in getting Resolution HCR 12 through the legislative process.