By Wise H.R. No. 315 75R8440 JHS-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, Volunteers from the Senior Companion Program will 1-2 visit Austin on March 13, 1997, to observe the 75th Texas 1-3 Legislature, and it is a privilege to welcome these exemplary 1-4 Texans to the Capitol City; and 1-5 WHEREAS, The Senior Companion Program creates an opportunity 1-6 for active Texans, age 60 and older, to help fellow seniors 1-7 suffering from illness, frailty, or loneliness; this vital service 1-8 allows volunteers to keep their minds and bodies active while 1-9 providing a valuable alternative to expensive institutionalized 1-10 care; and 1-11 WHEREAS, The program is designed to help Texas' senior 1-12 citizens in a variety of ways, from providing transportation to the 1-13 grocery store or the doctor's office to offering a sympathetic ear 1-14 in times of trouble; in its first year of implementation, 1-15 volunteers provided more than 8,000 hours of aid, and in 1995-1996, 1-16 the Senior Companions of Texas gave more than one-half million 1-17 hours of service to needy seniors; and 1-18 WHEREAS, Americans are living longer, healthier, and more 1-19 productive lives, yielding a larger volunteer base from which to 1-20 draw support for those older Texans who need regular assistance, 1-21 yet are otherwise capable of living on their own; this program's 1-22 volunteers have demonstrated a tremendous work ethic and a 1-23 remarkable commitment to their peers, and the members of this 1-24 chamber are proud to honor them at this time; now, therefore, be it 2-1 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas 2-2 Legislature hereby welcome the Senior Companion Program volunteers 2-3 to the State Capitol and congratulate these fine citizens on their 2-4 efforts in behalf of this outstanding program; and, be it further 2-5 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-6 prepared for these volunteers as an expression of high regard by 2-7 the Texas House of Representatives.