SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 70
         WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to
  recognize Kalliope Benitez and to join in efforts to raise
  awareness of Battens CLN5 disease; and
         WHEREAS, Kalliope Benitez is a spunky and courageous young
  citizen who is battling Battens CLN5 disease, a rare inherited
  disorder of the nervous system; and
         WHEREAS, Like most individuals diagnosed with this
  condition, Kalliope developed healthily and flourished
  alongside her friends and peers through her preschool years;
  soon after beginning kindergarten, she began losing control of
  her basic motor functioning, and today, the nine year old
  depends on the full-time assistance of caregivers to meet her
  day-to-day needs; and
         WHEREAS, Battens CLN5 disease is a relatively unknown
  condition inherited by the mutations of the CLN5 gene in both
  parents, who typically show no symptoms of the disease; symptoms
  can begin anytime between childhood and early adulthood, and they
  usually appear around the age of five; and
         WHEREAS, Research initially indicated that Battens CLN5
  was a disease affecting only the Finnish population, yet further
  studies have shown that approximately one in 100,000 individuals
  around the world are affected by the disorder; and
         WHEREAS, Awareness is key to the knowledge and
  understanding of Battens CLN5 disease, and continued research
  will help promote positive outcomes for young citizens like
  Kalliope Benitez; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 87th
  Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby extend sincere best
  wishes to Kalliope Benitez and to her family and caregivers and
  urge communities across Texas to raise local awareness about
  Battens CLN5 disease; and, be it further
         RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in
  honor of Kalliope Benitez.
 
  Zaffirini
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        President of the Senate
     
        I hereby certify that the
    above Resolution was adopted by
    the Senate on October 13, 2021.
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        Secretary of the Senate
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
         Member, Texas Senate