By Smithee H.R. No. 1235 Line and page numbers may not match official copy. Bill not drafted by TLC or Senate E&E. 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 Elizabeth Erickson of the Panhandle Independent Living Center who 1-17 has worked with him to help him find the assistive technology and 1-18 funding he needs to communicate again without the aid of a 1-19 translator; and 1-20 WHEREAS, Today, his dream of resuming a career is becoming a 1-21 reality; he received his computer last week and the Panhandle 1-22 Independent Living Center will now be able to provide him with 2-1 vocational training to work again; and 2-2 WHEREAS, For six years, Pedro Martinez has challenged 2-3 adversity and he has overcome each new obstacle that has been 2-4 placed in his way with courage and perseverance; and 2-5 WHEREAS, In charting the course of his life, Pedro Martinez 2-6 plans to become a spokesperson for the nearly 9,000 Texans who 2-7 find themselves in similar situations; to this end, he hopes to 2-8 increase public awareness of measures such as the Micasa Bill 2-9 pending before the United States Congress and to gain support for 2-10 the funding of assistive technology, independent living centers, 2-11 and community based living programs so that every person will have 2-12 the right to become a productive member of society; now, therefore, 2-13 be it 2-14 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas 2-15 Legislature hereby honor Pedro Martinez for his extraordinary 2-16 achievements and commend him for his selfless efforts to benefit 2-17 others; and, be it further 2-18 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-19 prepared for Mr. Martinez as an expression of highest regard by the 2-20 Texas House of Representatives. BEGCAPTION 2-21 Commending Pedro Martinez for his selfless efforts in behalf of 2-22 others. 2-23 ENDCAPTION