The Texas House and Senate approved resolutions Feb. 11 declaring it Community Impact Newspaper Day at the Capitol. State Rep. Patricia Harless, R-Spring, presented House Resolution 253, which she authored along with Representatives Larry Gonzalez, R-Round Rock; Marsha Farney, R-Georgetown, Celia Israel, D-Austin; and Sarah Davis, R-Houston. Rep. Jason Isaac, R-Dripping Springs, made a motion for all members of the House to be listed as co-authors of the resolution, which was approved. "Many of you have joined me in offering this resolution that honors Community Impact Newspaper founders John and Jennifer Garrett and the rest of the Community Impact staff in their work bringing local news to the communities of Austin, Houston and the Dallas/Fort Worth metropolitan area," Harless said. "These local newspapers play a vital role in bringing news to our readers. They remain independently owned and locally operated. Staff of local editions are our neighbors and report on information relevant to our community." Members of the state senate approved a similar resolution authored by Senators Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown; Brandon Creighton, R-The Woodlands; Rodney Ellis, D-Houston; Lois Kolkhorst, R-Katy; and Van Taylor, R-McKinney. "Today Im delighted to join Sen. Schwertner in recognizing Community Impact Day at the Texas Capitol. Community Impact is an important source of news for thousands of my constituents in Travis and Hays counties," state Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, said. "By providing informative coverage of local issues that matter to residents, the newspaper is proof that community journalism is alive and well in Central Texas. Once more Community Impacts slogan describes it perfectly: Local. Useful. Everyone Gets It." Schwertner also recognized Community Impact Newspaper owners John and Jennifer Garrett. "The Garretts are leaders in the community and have built one of the fastest growing newspaper organizations in the country," he said. "They truly embody what it means to be hard working small business owners, and they are recognized by their peers for outstanding work." State Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, R-Southlake, also presented the flag that was flown over the Capitol building Feb. 11 to the staff of the Grapevine, Colleyville and Southlake Community Impact Newspaper edition. The editioncovers a portion of Capriglione's district in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.