Texas Fraternal Congress Updates

Fraternal Leaders to Converge,

Host Picnic at Texas State Capitol
on Wednesday, April 27

Hot Dog, It's April 27!
Members of the Texas Fraternal Alliance will converge on the Texas State Capitol in Austin on Wednesday, April 27, 2011 for a hot dog picnic for state legislators and their staffs to be held on the southwest lawn of the State Capiol. The come-and-go event, which begins at 11:30 a.m., will serve as a kick-off event for the observing Join Hands Day. Held on the first Saturday in May, Join Hands Day is a national day of service when young people and adults work together to plan and implement projects that make a positive difference in their local communities.

The musical backdrop will be provided by a polka band comprised of Texas Fraternal Alliance members.

Giving Thanks to Our Military Families
During the course of the day, the TFA will have a display set up on the ground floor of the Capitol Rotunda, inviting all state legislators and their staffs to sign large "Thank You" cards for the six Fisher Houses in Texas. A Fisher Houe is a "home away from home" for families of patients receiving medical care at major military and VA medical centers. The homes are normally located withn walking distance of the treatment facilities.

The signed cards will be delivered by TFA members to the Fisher Houses on or around Flag Day -- Tuesday, June 14. Everyone is cordially invited to drop by and sign the cards.

Fraternalists representing Catholic Family Fraternal of Texas (KJZT), Catholic Life Insurance, Catholic Union of Texas (KJT), Knights of Columbus, Order of the Sons of Hermann, SPJST, Thrivent for Lutherans, Western Fraternal Life Association and Woodmen of the World participated in the event which included a picnic on the Capitol lawn and fraternal project paying tribute to veterans residing in Texas’s seven State Veterans Homes. The event also served as the TFC’s statewide kick-off event for the 2009 Join Hands Day event on May 2.

According to statistics compiled by the National Fraternal Congress of America (NFCA), Texas is home to 622,161 fraternal benefit society members who performed 473,297 charitable activities last year. Collectively, they also contributed more than $21.5 million to charitable programs and volunteered more than 7 million hours in support of their communities.

Building Relationships Are Important
The Texas Fraternal Alliances believes that constructing strong, personal relationships with public officials and their staffs is an important aspect of generating public attention and support for fraternal groups and the good work that they do. Building legislative support for our fraternal organizations is an idea that applies as much on the local lodge, chapter and council level as it does on the state and national levels.

Texas Legislature

Issues Concurrent Resolution Acknowleding Texas Fraternals

In conjunction with the Texas Fraternal Congress' 2009 Legislative Awareness Day at the Texas State Capitol on April 15, 2009, the following Senate concurrent resolution was issued:

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Texas Fraternal Congress, founded in 1900, serves to unite statewide fraternal benefit societies, which number more than 2,300 strong and represent more than 619,000 members; during its weeklong observance of Texas Fraternal Week, being held from April 12 through April 18, 2009, the Texas Fraternal Congress encourages members to make a difference in their communities; and

WHEREAS, Member societies of the Texas Fraternal Congress were founded on the principles of mutual aid, fraternal service, and democratic governance; fraternal benefit societies throughout Texas provide their members with opportunities for leadership, education, community service, social interaction, and spiritual growth; and

WHEREAS, In addition, these noteworthy organizations strive to build strong relationships with public officials and to achieve a deeper understanding of legislative processes in order to effectively navigate the regulatory environment in which they operate; and

WHEREAS, Fraternal benefit societies have long contributed to the lives of many Texans and to the rich history of the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the 81st Legislature of the State of Texas hereby recognize April 12 through 18, 2009, as Texas Fraternal Week and extend sincere best wishes to all those associated with fraternal benefit societies; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be prepared for the Texas Fraternal Congress as an expression of esteem from the Texas Legislature.

David Dewhurst

President of the Senate

Joe Straus

Speaker of the House

II hereby certify that S.C.R. No. 58 was adopted by the Senate on April 15, 2009.

Hope Andrade

Secretary of State

I hereby certify that S.C.R. No. 58 was adopted by the House on May 14, 2009.

Robert Haney

Chief Clerk of the House

Rick Perry

Governor