R E S O L U T I O N

 1-1           WHEREAS, May 15, 1997, marks the 50th birthday of consultant

 1-2     Dianna Loper, and this auspicious occasion is truly worthy of

 1-3     special praise and recognition; and

 1-4           WHEREAS, A dedicated advocate of mental health care reform,

 1-5     Ms. Loper took a courageous stand in behalf of her fellow Texans in

 1-6     1993, when she and her colleague Doug Cameron proposed legislation

 1-7     to limit the use of electroshock therapy in Texas; and

 1-8           WHEREAS, Ms. Loper's opposition to this cruel and barbaric

 1-9     form of treatment is rooted in her own experience for, as the

1-10     result of electroshock treatment she received herself in the 1970s,

1-11     she has suffered extensive memory loss and is subject to frequent

1-12     epileptic seizures; and

1-13           WHEREAS, Despite these formidable obstacles, Ms. Loper

1-14     persevered in her efforts to promote this important legislation,

1-15     and as a result of her and Mr. Cameron's efforts, the 73rd Texas

1-16     Legislature enacted the strongest informed consent law for

1-17     electroshock therapy in the nation, which also mandated more

1-18     thorough reporting of the treatment and outlawed it entirely for

1-19     use on children under the age of 17; and

1-20           WHEREAS, Ms. Loper continues to champion similar legislation

1-21     across the country, and she can take pride and satisfaction in her

1-22     pivotal role in bringing about this much-needed reform in the Lone

1-23     Star State; and

1-24           WHEREAS, Dianna Loper has distinguished herself as a

 2-1     public-spirited citizen and an eloquent spokesperson on mental

 2-2     health issues, and it is indeed fitting on the occasion of her

 2-3     birthday to recognize her for her many contributions to the

 2-4     well-being of men and women across the Lone Star State; now,

 2-5     therefore, be it

 2-6           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas

 2-7     Legislature hereby honor Dianna Loper on the occasion of her 50th

 2-8     birthday and extend to her sincere best wishes for continued

 2-9     success in the future; and, be it further

2-10           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

2-11     prepared for Ms. Loper as an expression of high regard by the Texas

2-12     House of Representatives.

                                                                       Serna

                                             _______________________________

                                                   Speaker of the House

               I certify that H.R. No. 953 was adopted by the House on May

         15, 1997, by a non-record vote.

                                             _______________________________

                                                 Chief Clerk of the House