By Delisi                                            H.C.R. No. 137
                                  R E S O L U T I O N
    1-1        WHEREAS, public health services are vital to all Texans in
    1-2  search of healthy lives, families, and communities; and
    1-3        WHEREAS, the existence of a public health infrastructure in
    1-4  each community creates a better standard of living by promoting
    1-5  healthy lifestyles through prevention, such as reducing childhood
    1-6  disease through immunization; providing safe drinking water and
    1-7  wholesome foods; and ensuring that our environment remains free of
    1-8  toxic or bacterial contamination that would be injurious to the
    1-9  public health; and
   1-10        WHEREAS, various levels of government in our state provide
   1-11  public health services through city and county health departments;
   1-12  and,
   1-13        WHEREAS, the roles of state and local government in providing
   1-14  public health services may not be clearly defined; and,
   1-15        WHEREAS, there is no special mechanism for local authorities
   1-16  to support or fund public health services, which has resulted in a
   1-17  decline in local support of public health; and,
   1-18        WHEREAS, a strong public health infrastructure is vital to
   1-19  the economic growth of the State in order to insure a healthy
   1-20  population; now, therefore, be it
   1-21        RESOLVED, that the Texas Department of Health, the Blackland
   1-22  Research Center and the Texas A&M University System, and the Lyndon
   1-23  Baines Johnson School of Public Affairs of the University of Texas,
    2-1  within their existing resources, in conjunction with city and
    2-2  county governments, study the current role of local governments in
    2-3  providing public health services; and, be it further
    2-4        RESOLVED, that a report of the study and its findings and
    2-5  recommendations be presented to the 75th Legislature.