1-1                                     1
 1-2                          SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 334
 1-3           WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas proudly recognizes
 1-4     the Parent Association for the Retarded of Texas, Incorporated,
 1-5     (PART) for its outstanding work on behalf of persons with mental
 1-6     retardation and is pleased to proclaim March 9, 1999, as Parent
 1-7     Association for the Retarded of Texas Day at the State Capitol;
 1-8     and
 1-9           WHEREAS, The Parent Association for the Retarded of Texas
1-10     is an organization of volunteers who are dedicated to preserving,
1-11     improving, and expanding services for persons with mental
1-12     retardation in our state; the association promotes quality services
1-13     for state school residents, the mentally retarded in the state
1-14     center system, and mentally retarded residents in the community;
1-15     and
1-16           WHEREAS, The dedicated members of the Parent Association
1-17     for the Retarded of Texas present the parents' viewpoint to the
1-18     Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, the
1-19     State Legislature, Congress, and the general public; in 1987,
1-20     members of the association were instrumental in effecting a 5th
1-21     circuit court reversal of a court-ordered community placement for
1-22     state school residents; and
1-23           WHEREAS, This association is well known for the support it
1-24     offers to state school employees and its advocacy of new programs
 2-1     to meet the unique needs of the retarded; and
 2-2           WHEREAS, Members of the Parent Association for the Retarded
 2-3     of Texas have been prominently involved in the development of
 2-4     programs for persons with mental retardation since the 1950s, and
 2-5     they have fought vigorously for more and improved state schools,
 2-6     state centers, special education, and community mental health and
 2-7     mental retardation centers; and
 2-8           WHEREAS, Today, the Parent Association for the Retarded of
 2-9     Texas continues to protect the mentally retarded people in Texas
2-10     and tenaciously places responsibility on caregivers to maintain its
2-11     standards for quality care; the organization addresses such issues
2-12     as the downsizing of state schools, fiscal accountability, and
2-13     special population needs; and
2-14           WHEREAS, The services provided by the Parent Association
2-15     for the Retarded of Texas have been vital to the welfare of
2-16     both children and adults with mental retardation in our state,
2-17     and members of the association are truly worthy of legislative
2-18     recognition for their exceptional efforts and outstanding
2-19     accomplishments; now, therefore, be it
2-20           RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
2-21     76th Legislature, hereby declare March 9, 1999, Parent Association
2-22     for the Retarded of Texas Day as an expression of appreciation for
2-23     the admirable contributions this association has made on behalf of
2-24     the people of Texas; and, be it further
2-25           RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
2-26     Parent Association for the Retarded of Texas, Incorporated, as a
 3-1     token of esteem from the Texas Senate.
 3-2                                                              Barrientos
 3-3                                  ______________________________________
 3-4                                          President of the Senate
 3-5                                       I hereby certify that the above
 3-6                                  Resolution was adopted by the Senate
 3-7                                  on March 3, 1999.
 3-8                                  ______________________________________
 3-9                                          Secretary of the Senate
3-10                                  ______________________________________
3-11                                           Member, Texas Senate