By:  Zaffirini                                         S.R. No. 161

 1-1     By:  Zaffirini                                         S.R. No. 161

 1-2                              SENATE RESOLUTION

 1-3           WHEREAS, Long-Term Care Ombudsman Day on February 25, 1997,

 1-4     honors those volunteer ombudsmen who advocate for nursing home

 1-5     residents, and the Texas Senate is proud to join in recognizing

 1-6     these special men and women for their work on behalf of all those

 1-7     who live in nursing homes; and

 1-8           WHEREAS, More than 700 long-term care volunteer ombudsmen

 1-9     serve as a vital link to ensure quality of life and quality of

1-10     care for the 96,000 Texans who reside in the state's 1,160

1-11     licensed nursing homes; and

1-12           WHEREAS, Many of the elderly and disabled residents have no

1-13     family or regular visitors who routinely check to assure that they

1-14     are receiving the appropriate care to meet their needs; and

1-15           WHEREAS, The ombudsmen receive specialized training and

1-16     are certified by the Texas Department on Aging to be advocates in

1-17     identifying, investigating, and resolving complaints by or on behalf

1-18     of nursing home residents; and

1-19           WHEREAS, The well-being of residents in long-term care

1-20     facilities is enhanced through regular contact with trained and

1-21     certified advocates; they provide an important public service

1-22     through complaint resolution, education, information, and

1-23     assistance; and

 2-1           WHEREAS, The volunteer ombudsmen are to be commended for

 2-2     their dedication and commitment to the residents of nursing homes;

 2-3     now, therefore, be it

 2-4           RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,

 2-5     75th Legislature, hereby recognize February 25, 1997, as

 2-6     Long-Term Care Ombudsman Day in Texas; and, be it further

 2-7           RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared as an

 2-8     expression of the high regard and appreciation of the Texas Senate

 2-9     for these outstanding Texans.

2-10                                  ______________________________________

2-11                                          President of the Senate

2-12                                       I hereby certify that the above

2-13                                  Resolution was adopted by the Senate

2-14                                  on February 13, 1997.

2-15                                  ______________________________________

2-16                                          Secretary of the Senate

2-17                                  ______________________________________

2-18                                           Member, Texas Senate