By Seaman H.R. No. 403 76R7141 JBR-F R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, This year marks the 50th anniversary of the 1-2 Arthritis Foundation, which will hold its annual national meeting 1-3 in San Antonio on November 18-22, 1999; and 1-4 WHEREAS, Today, there are more than 100 different diseases 1-5 that cause pain, swelling, and limited movement in joints and 1-6 inflammation in connective tissue throughout the human body; and 1-7 WHEREAS, These diseases affect more than four million Texans, 1-8 including some 20,000 children, and are the leading cause of 1-9 disability, costing an estimated $3 billion in lost productivity 1-10 and medical costs; and 1-11 WHEREAS, Despite these sobering statistics, scientific 1-12 evidence supports the efficacy of early diagnosis, treatment, and 1-13 prevention of these diseases; and 1-14 WHEREAS, Many countries and international organizations have 1-15 joined together to recognize the years 2000 through 2010 as the 1-16 "Decade of the Bone and Joint" to increase public awareness of this 1-17 problem and to promote research to find the cure for and prevention 1-18 of arthritis; now, therefore, be it 1-19 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas 1-20 Legislature hereby recognize the years 2000 through 2010 as the 1-21 "Decade of the Bone and Joint" and encourage all Texans to work 1-22 together to combat arthritis and to improve the quality of life for 1-23 those affected by bone and joint diseases; and, be it further 1-24 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-1 prepared for the Arthritis Foundation as an expression of high 2-2 regard by the Texas House of Representatives.