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.