By:  Sibley                                            S.R. No. 956

                                  SENATE RESOLUTION

 1-1           WHEREAS, Public awareness of health needs, the promotion of

 1-2     healthy lifestyles, and parental involvement with children are

 1-3     necessary for a productive society; and

 1-4           WHEREAS, Men are often reluctant to seek medical attention

 1-5     for physical ailments or depression because of socialization, fear,

 1-6     and lack of information, resulting in higher death rates at all

 1-7     ages for cancer and heart disease and leading to higher rates of

 1-8     suicide and dependency on drugs and alcohol; and

 1-9           WHEREAS, Increasing men's awareness of their health needs and

1-10     encouraging them to engage in healthy lifestyles are concerns for

1-11     the women in their lives and allow the men to be productive family

1-12     members and productive members of society; and

1-13           WHEREAS, Boys are at high risk for school dropout and drug

1-14     usage and are less likely to enroll in or graduate from college;

1-15     and

1-16           WHEREAS, Men are increasingly separated from their families

1-17     by work and family dissolution, and promoting paternal involvement

1-18     has positive effects on children's development; and

1-19           WHEREAS, Measures that strengthen home life and promote

1-20     paternal involvement with children will advance the welfare of the

1-21     state; now, therefore, be it

1-22           RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 75th

1-23     Legislature, hereby request that the governor appoint a Commission

 2-1     on Men to identify, assess, and develop strategies for men and

 2-2     boys, including community outreach activities, public-private

 2-3     partnerships, and coordination of community and state resources, to

 2-4     examine the causes of and recommend solutions to these problems;

 2-5     and, be it further

 2-6           RESOLVED, That the Commission on Men shall be composed of 24

 2-7     members consisting of medical and academic experts, community

 2-8     leaders, and leaders of organizations, each of whom has expertise

 2-9     in the areas of men's health or family involvement; the commission

2-10     shall develop strategies and advocate programs and activities for

2-11     enhancing the participation of men and boys in healthy behaviors,

2-12     academic achievement, and involvement with family; and, be it

2-13     further

2-14           RESOLVED, That the Commission on Men shall hold workshops

2-15     around the state to identify issues affecting men's health and

2-16     family participation and shall recommend assistance, services, and

2-17     state policies which will further the goals of the commission,

2-18     participate with established task forces and policy groups, and

2-19     monitor federal and state legislation and public policy which may

2-20     affect those issues; and, be it further

2-21           RESOLVED, That the Commission on Men shall submit a report of

2-22     its findings and recommendations to the legislature by October 1st

2-23     of each even-numbered year.

2-24                                  ______________________________________

2-25                                          President of the Senate

2-26                                       I hereby certify that the above

2-27                                  Resolution was adopted by the Senate

 3-1                                  on June 2, 1997.

 3-2                                  ______________________________________

 3-3                                          Secretary of the Senate