By Gutierrez                                          H.R. No. 1219

         75R16940 WMS-D                           

                                 R E S O L U T I O N

 1-1           WHEREAS, Maria C. Alen, M.D. is being honored by the Rio

 1-2     Grande Valley Chapter of the American Diabetes Association for her

 1-3     many significant accomplishments in combating diabetes, and this

 1-4     special recognition is indeed well deserved; and

 1-5           WHEREAS, Past president of the Rio Grande Valley Chapter of

 1-6     the American Diabetes Association, Dr. Alen has for many years

 1-7     devoted her efforts to the prevention and successful treatment of

 1-8     this deadly disease; and

 1-9           WHEREAS, An estimated 16 million Americans suffer from

1-10     diabetes, with half of those cases undiagnosed; the disease is the

1-11     sixth leading cause of death in the United States and its direct

1-12     and indirect cost to the nation each year is tens of billions of

1-13     dollars; and

1-14           WHEREAS, Dr. Alen will be honored for her contributions on

1-15     June 4, 1997, at the annual awards luncheon of the Rio Grande

1-16     Valley Chapter of the American Diabetes Association at the Tower

1-17     Club in McAllen; and

1-18           WHEREAS, Diabetes is one of the most serious threats to

1-19     public health in Texas and across the nation, and Dr. Alen's

1-20     notable efforts in combating the disease are indeed worthy of

1-21     special legislative recognition at this time; now, therefore, be it

1-22           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas

1-23     Legislature hereby commend Dr. Maria C. Alen on being chosen as an

1-24     honoree of the Rio Grande Valley Chapter of the American Diabetes

 2-1     Association and that she be extended sincere best wishes for

 2-2     continued success in her worthy efforts; and, be it further

 2-3           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

 2-4     prepared for Dr. Alen as an expression of high regard by the Texas

 2-5     House of Representatives.