By Smithee H.R. No. 1229 76R17873 PCM-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, It is with great pleasure that we welcome Pedro 1-2 Martinez to the house chamber today, for his story is one that will 1-3 inspire and inform all who listen; and 1-4 WHEREAS, In June 1993, Mr. Martinez's life was changed 1-5 forevermore when he was injured and paralyzed at the age of 27 in a 1-6 devastating accident; after emerging from a coma, he received 1-7 rehabilitative therapy for six months before being moved to a 1-8 nursing home to live out his days among the center's elderly 1-9 residents; and 1-10 WHEREAS, Refusing to give in to the fear and helplessness 1-11 that would envelope anyone under such dire circumstances, this 1-12 remarkable young man did not give up and began to explore countless 1-13 avenues by which he could begin to reclaim his life and gain his 1-14 independence; and 1-15 WHEREAS, Six months ago, Mr. Martinez found speech therapist 1-16 Betty Erickson who has worked with him to help him find the 1-17 assistive technology and funding he needs to communicate again 1-18 without the aid of a translator; and 1-19 WHEREAS, Today, his dream of resuming a career is becoming a 1-20 reality; he received his computer last week and the Panhandle 1-21 Independent Living Center will now be able to provide him with 1-22 vocational training to work again; and 1-23 WHEREAS, For six years, Pedro Martinez has challenged 1-24 adversity and he has overcome each new obstacle that has been 2-1 placed in his way with courage and perseverance; and 2-2 WHEREAS, In charting the course of his life, Pedro Martinez 2-3 plans to become a spokesperson for the nearly 9,000 Texans who 2-4 find themselves in similar situations; to this end, he hopes to 2-5 increase public awareness of measures such as the Micasa Bill 2-6 pending before the United States Congress and to gain support for 2-7 the funding of assistive technology, independent living centers, 2-8 and community based living programs so that every person will have 2-9 the right to become a productive member of society; now, therefore, 2-10 be it 2-11 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas 2-12 Legislature hereby honor Pedro Martinez for his extraordinary 2-13 achievements and commend him for his selfless efforts to benefit 2-14 others; and, be it further 2-15 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-16 prepared for Mr. Martinez as an expression of highest regard by the 2-17 Texas House of Representatives.