By Willis                                              H.R. No. 408
                                  R E S O L U T I O N
    1-1        WHEREAS, Since its establishment in June of 1974, the Parents
    1-2  Association for the Retarded of Texas (PART) has dedicated itself
    1-3  to preserving, expanding, and improving state schools and state
    1-4  centers for children and adults with developmental disabilities;
    1-5  and
    1-6        WHEREAS, Founded by concerned parents, the 4,000 members of
    1-7  PART have volunteered their time and energies to address the unique
    1-8  needs of the retarded children of Texas; and
    1-9        WHEREAS, Strong in their belief that as parents they are the
   1-10  most knowledgeable and credible advocates of mentally retarded
   1-11  persons, PART members actively supported the establishment of the
   1-12  Laredo State Center, the San Antonio State School, the Fort Worth
   1-13  State School, and cottages on the campuses of a number of older
   1-14  state schools and state centers and were at the forefront of
   1-15  efforts to provide services for mentally retarded offenders in
   1-16  state prisons; and
   1-17        WHEREAS, Committed and caring members have served on the
   1-18  committee to draft the Mentally Retarded Persons Act and continue
   1-19  to urge the creation of new programs to meet the needs of our
   1-20  state's special citizens; and
   1-21        WHEREAS, Concerned with high employee turnover rates at state
   1-22  schools, PART has fought for increased wages, benefits, and career
   1-23  ladder programs to attract qualified employees; and
    2-1        WHEREAS, On the opening day of every regular legislative
    2-2  session, PART places a single yellow rose on the desk of the
    2-3  governor, lieutenant governor, speaker, and each legislator; and
    2-4        WHEREAS, PART is an organization of committed individuals
    2-5  whose devoted efforts in behalf of their retarded children have
    2-6  made a lasting impact on the state's mental retardation programs,
    2-7  and it is appropriate to take this opportunity to recognize this
    2-8  noteworthy group; now therefore be it
    2-9        RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas
   2-10  Legislature hereby commend the Parents Association for the Retarded
   2-11  of Texas; and be it further
   2-12        RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
   2-13  prepared for the association as an expression of highest esteem and
   2-14  admiration from the members of the Texas House of Representatives.