S.R. No. 528
1-1 SENATE RESOLUTION
1-2 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to
1-3 recognize the Corpus Christi State School on the auspicious
1-4 occasion of its 25th anniversary on April 22, 1995; and
1-5 WHEREAS, Some of the most important individuals responsible
1-6 for the formation of the Corpus Christi State School were the late
1-7 Mrs. Howard E. Butt, and the late State Senator Bruce A. Reagan and
1-8 Governor John B. Connally; and
1-9 WHEREAS, There was a genuine need in South Texas for a
1-10 residential facility for individuals with mental retardation and
1-11 their families because the nearest one was in Austin; Mrs. Butt
1-12 initiated the project and was extremely effective in convincing
1-13 state legislators that the City of Corpus Christi should be the
1-14 site for a new state school; and
1-15 WHEREAS, In addition, she was the most influential individual
1-16 responsible for obtaining the proper design for the school; and
1-17 WHEREAS, Senator Reagan was most helpful in obtaining
1-18 passage of the enabling legislation; without his knowledgeable
1-19 assistance, the legislation might never have reached passage; and
1-20 WHEREAS, Accolades are also in order for the personal
1-21 assistance that the late Governor John B. Connally contributed;
1-22 the popular governor knew that there were not enough residential
1-23 facilities available to meet the needs of individuals with mental
2-1 retardation in South Texas and was vigorous in supporting the
2-2 establishment of a new state school in Corpus Christi; and
2-3 WHEREAS, The Corpus Christi State School was opened in 1970,
2-4 and it primarily serves individuals from 31 South Texas counties;
2-5 the facility is strongly committed to the idea that each person with
2-6 mental retardation is a citizen and has equal rights, and that each
2-7 person can become increasingly independent through positive growth
2-8 and development; and
2-9 WHEREAS, This outstanding institution provides residential
2-10 services 24 hours a day, seven days a week for citizens whose
2-11 severity of disability presently makes them ineligible for living
2-12 in the community; and
2-13 WHEREAS, The facility employs over 900 dedicated and valued
2-14 professionals in an interdisciplinary services delivery system;
2-15 residents have access to medical, dental, nursing, psychological,
2-16 habilitation, and education services as well as ancillary and
2-17 support services; and
2-18 WHEREAS, The 36 buildings of the facility have 215,000 square
2-19 feet of floor space and can accommodate 400 individuals, who may
2-20 additionally have visual, speech, auditory, or sensory disabilities,
2-21 and each disability is addressed by trained professionals who
2-22 specialize in these disabilities; and
2-23 WHEREAS, The Corpus Christi State School has a Community
2-24 Services Division, whose principal mission is to return residents in
2-25 institutions to their community and to prevent institutionalization
3-1 of individuals with mental retardation in the counties served; this
3-2 is accomplished by providing assistance to approximately 631
3-3 individuals who receive an array of services at multiple locales
3-4 which include work centers, community residences, and their own
3-5 homes; and
3-6 WHEREAS, The facility is capably and effectively led by
3-7 Superintendent Aurelio Valdez, Jr., whose dedication to continuous
3-8 quality improvement has contributed significantly to improving the
3-9 quality of services for all residents and customers of Corpus Christi
3-10 State School; and
3-11 WHEREAS, The management of this important facility is most
3-12 effective and efficient and all personnel are to be commended for
3-13 their notable contribution to the State of Texas and the citizens
3-14 receiving services by the Corpus Christi State School as it
3-15 celebrates its 25th anniversary; now, therefore, be it
3-16 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
3-17 74th Legislature, hereby congratulate the Corpus Christi State
3-18 School on its 25th anniversary of providing superb service to the
3-19 citizens of Texas; and, be it further
3-20 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
3-21 the Corpus Christi State School, the Texas Department of Mental
3-22 Health and Mental Retardation, and the families of the late
3-23 Governor John B. Connally, Senator Bruce Reagan, and
3-24 Mrs. Howard E. Butt as an expression of highest esteem and
3-25 appreciation from the Texas Senate.
4-1 Truan
4-2 Armbrister Henderson Ratliff
4-3 Barrientos Leedom Rosson
4-4 Bivins Lucio Shapiro
4-5 Brown Luna Sibley
4-6 Cain Madla Sims
4-7 Ellis Moncrief Turner
4-8 Gallegos Montford Wentworth
4-9 Galloway Nelson West
4-10 Harris Nixon Whitmire
4-11 Haywood Patterson Zaffirini
4-12 Bullock, President of the Senate
4-13 ______________________________________
4-14 President of the Senate
4-15 I hereby certify that the above
4-16 Resolution was adopted by the Senate
4-17 on March 23, 1995.
4-18 ______________________________________
4-19 Secretary of the Senate
4-20 ______________________________________
4-21 Dean of the Senate