By:  Moncrief                                           S.R. No. 97

 1-1                                       1

 1-2                              SENATE RESOLUTION

 1-3           WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas takes great

 1-4     pleasure in recognizing Virginia Eernisse for her notable

 1-5     service to the citizens of Texas; and

 1-6           WHEREAS, Mrs. Eernisse, a leader in community service, a

 1-7     dedicated volunteer, and a compassionate friend to Texans with

 1-8     mental illness and mental retardation, was appointed to the

 1-9     Texas Board of Mental Health and Mental Retardation; she was

1-10     confirmed and began to serve in February, 1991; and

1-11           WHEREAS, Mrs. Eernisse graciously and capably served as

1-12     vice-chair of the Board from January, 1993, until February, 1997;

1-13     and

1-14           WHEREAS, During her six years as a member of the Board,

1-15     Mrs. Eernisse served or co-chaired such blue ribbon committees as

1-16     the Authority/Provider Task Force, the Equity of Access Task Force,

1-17     and the Ad Hoc Committee on Mental Retardation and Managed Care; and

1-18           WHEREAS, Mrs. Eernisse contributed her time, energy, and

1-19     leadership ability in helping formulate viable policies and

1-20     procedures for the direction of the Department; and

1-21           WHEREAS, Mrs. Eernisse was a driving force in the movement

1-22     to promote the inclusion of individuals with mental illness and

1-23     mental retardation in all levels of the decision-making process,

 2-1     and through her efforts these individuals have received a greater

 2-2     voice in the process; and

 2-3           WHEREAS, Throughout her tenure on the Board, Mrs. Eernisse

 2-4     evidenced a personal and professional benevolence for persons with

 2-5     mental illness and mental retardation by promoting their acceptance

 2-6     in all communities and by diligently pursuing the enhancement of

 2-7     the services they receive; and

 2-8           WHEREAS, Mrs. Eernisse has been a passionate advocate for

 2-9     persons with disabilities whose vision helped formulate positive

2-10     fundamental change within the Texas Department of Mental Health

2-11     and Mental Retardation and the State of Texas; and

2-12           WHEREAS, Through her caring and her perseverance as a

2-13     member of the Texas Board of Mental Health and Mental Retardation,

2-14     Mrs. Eernisse has helped improve the quality of life for individuals

2-15     with mental illness and mental retardation; now, therefore, be it

2-16           RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas hereby

2-17     commend and recognize Virginia Eernisse for her devotion and

2-18     leadership as a member of the Texas Board of Mental Health and

2-19     Mental Retardation and extend best wishes to her for continued

2-20     success in her future endeavors; and, be it further

2-21           RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for

2-22     her as an expression of the esteem of the Texas Senate.