By Naishtat                                            H.R. No. 346
         76R7166 GMW-D                           
                                 R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is proud to
 1-2     welcome those members of the Parent Association for the Retarded of
 1-3     Texas (PART), Inc., who are visiting the State Capitol on this day;
 1-4     and
 1-5           WHEREAS, PART is an association of parents, guardians,
 1-6     relatives, and friends of persons with mental retardation, and
 1-7     these volunteers are dedicated to preserving, improving, and
 1-8     expanding services to assure uniform standards of care and
 1-9     treatment for the mentally retarded in the Lone Star State; and
1-10           WHEREAS, This truly humanitarian organization espouses
1-11     continued operation and improvements in the 13 state schools and
1-12     five state centers for the mentally retarded, in addition to
1-13     increasing understanding among the public of all issues affecting
1-14     persons with mental retardation through the gathering and
1-15     distribution of information; and
1-16           WHEREAS, By working with the Texas Department of Mental
1-17     Health and Mental Retardation and other government agencies, PART
1-18     strives to improve the system of care in Texas while promoting
1-19     research that may potentially lead to the prevention of mental
1-20     retardation in many cases; and
1-21           WHEREAS, PART also supports the Volunteer Services Councils,
1-22     whose members have contributed countless hours and financial
1-23     assistance through the years as well as the devoted staffs of the
1-24     state schools and the state centers, acting as an advocate on their
 2-1     behalf for increased wages, benefits, and recognition so that
 2-2     qualified and dedicated workers will continue to be attracted to
 2-3     employment in this field; and
 2-4           WHEREAS, The efforts of PART to improve the quality of care
 2-5     and services available to the mentally retarded in Texas are truly
 2-6     commendable, and for its many years of service as a diligent
 2-7     champion of the needs and rights of these citizens, it is most
 2-8     fitting that we acknowledge this distinguished organization at this
 2-9     time; now, therefore, be it
2-10           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas
2-11     Legislature hereby recognize March 9, 1999, as Parent Association
2-12     for the Retarded of Texas Day at the State Capitol and welcome the
2-13     members of its visiting delegation; and, be it further
2-14           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-15     prepared for the Parent Association for the Retarded of Texas,
2-16     Inc., as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of
2-17     Representatives.