1-1 1 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 593 1-3 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas takes pride in 1-4 recognizing Austin Smiles for its outstanding work in the field 1-5 of plastic surgery on behalf of the children of Austin and of 1-6 Latin America; and 1-7 WHEREAS, Austin Smiles is a nonprofit organization that 1-8 provides reconstructive plastic surgery, primarily cleft lip and 1-9 palate repairs, to the needy children of Austin and to those 1-10 children in the 10-county surrounding area; and 1-11 WHEREAS, Austin Smiles also travels to Latin America on 1-12 three medical missions a year to repair the smiles of children; the 1-13 missions last one week, and approximately 40 volunteers participate, 1-14 including ear, nose, and throat specialists, anesthesiologists, 1-15 nurses, speech pathologists, family practice physicians, hand 1-16 surgeons, and oral surgeons; and 1-17 WHEREAS, The corrective surgery allows restoration of 1-18 close-to-normal speech, hearing, and eating, as well as the 1-19 enhancement of the breathing ability of a child; the family's 1-20 inability to pay does not affect the voluntary surgery or patient 1-21 care; and 1-22 WHEREAS, Austin Smiles performs 50 to 75 surgeries annually 1-23 at Children's Hospital of Austin and to date has completed over 2-1 2,500 corrective surgeries for children; no participating personnel 2-2 are paid for their services; however, each volunteer is required to 2-3 raise a sponsorship fee to cover a portion of their expenses for 2-4 missions to Latin America; and 2-5 WHEREAS, Austin Smiles was created in 1987 by participating 2-6 surgeons in the Austin Society of Plastic and Reconstructive 2-7 Surgeons; these volunteers generously contribute their time, 2-8 talent, and resources to removing the deformities of children, 2-9 thereby raising the children's self-esteem and their chances of 2-10 becoming productive members of society; now, therefore, be it 2-11 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 2-12 75th Legislature, hereby commend all those who participate in the 2-13 humanitarian efforts of Austin Smiles and express appreciation to 2-14 them for their exceptional work and generosity; and, be it further 2-15 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 2-16 Austin Smiles as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate. 2-17 Barrientos 2-18 Sibley 2-19 Ratliff 2-20 ______________________________________ 2-21 President of the Senate 2-22 I hereby certify that the above 2-23 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 2-24 on April 28, 1997. 2-25 ______________________________________ 2-26 Secretary of the Senate 2-27 ______________________________________ 2-28 Member, Texas Senate 2-29 ______________________________________ 2-30 Member, Texas Senate 2-31 ______________________________________ 2-32 Member, Texas Senate