R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, This year marks the 51st 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, be it further RESOLVED, 1-22 That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for the 1-23 Arthritis Foundation as an expression of high regard by the Texas 1-24 House of Representatives. Seaman _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 657 was adopted by the House on April 27, 1999, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House