By Davis                                               H.R. No. 942
       74R13284 PFG-D
                                  R E S O L U T I O N
    1-1        WHEREAS, The Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation of Dallas has
    1-2  achieved notable success in promoting greater awareness of this
    1-3  deadly, incurable disease, which affects a significant portion of
    1-4  the African-American community; and
    1-5        WHEREAS, An inherited condition in which red blood cells
    1-6  become deformed, sickle cell anemia causes tissue damage and blood
    1-7  clots that can shorten the life span of an affected individual by
    1-8  as much as 20 years; and
    1-9        WHEREAS, Established in 1978 to provide critical screening
   1-10  and education services to the local African-American community, the
   1-11  Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation of Dallas was a joint initiative of
   1-12  the Urban League, the Community Chest, and the C. V. Roman Medical
   1-13  Society, whose members recognized the need for increased efforts to
   1-14  heighten awareness of this devastating public health issue; and
   1-15        WHEREAS, To fulfill its important mission, the foundation
   1-16  works diligently to increase the public's factual knowledge of
   1-17  sickle cell anemia and to offer confidential screening and
   1-18  counseling services to aid in the identification of those
   1-19  individuals who carry the sickle cell trait; the group focuses its
   1-20  efforts on adults of childbearing age who carry the trait and whose
   1-21  children are genetically at high risk for developing the disease;
   1-22  and
   1-23        WHEREAS, This exceptional organization also provides a full
   1-24  range of support services for persons with sickle cell anemia,
    2-1  including a tutorial program for children too sick to attend school
    2-2  and a job bank for adult sufferers to help them find work with
    2-3  employers who are willing to accommodate their health care needs;
    2-4  and
    2-5        WHEREAS, Foundation volunteers also direct clients to the
    2-6  broad network of social services available in the community that
    2-7  can aid them in their efforts to obtain financial aid and other
    2-8  valuable assistance for themselves and their families; and
    2-9        WHEREAS, Now in its 17th year of service to area citizens,
   2-10  the Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation of Dallas has taken great strides
   2-11  in educating local citizens about this debilitating trait and has
   2-12  vastly enhanced the lives of its sufferers and their families; at
   2-13  this time, the foundation's dedicated staff and volunteers are
   2-14  indeed deserving of our highest praise and recognition for their
   2-15  extraordinary service in this regard; now, therefore, be it
   2-16        RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas
   2-17  Legislature hereby commend the Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation of
   2-18  Dallas for its exemplary efforts to improve the health and
   2-19  well-being of the citizens of Dallas; and, be it further
   2-20        RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
   2-21  prepared for the Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation of Dallas as an
   2-22  expression of highest regard by the Texas House of Representatives.