By Naishtat H.R. No. 237 77R5766 JKB-F R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is proud to 1-2 welcome those members of the Parent Association for the Retarded of 1-3 Texas (PART), Inc., who are visiting the State Capitol on this day; 1-4 and 1-5 WHEREAS, PART is an association of parents, guardians, 1-6 relatives, and friends of persons with mental retardation, and 1-7 these volunteers are dedicated to preserving, improving, and 1-8 expanding services to assure uniform standards of care and 1-9 treatment for the mentally retarded in the Lone Star State; and 1-10 WHEREAS, This truly humanitarian organization espouses 1-11 continued operation and improvements in the state schools and state 1-12 centers for the mentally retarded, in addition to increasing 1-13 understanding among the public of all issues affecting persons with 1-14 mental retardation through the gathering and distribution of 1-15 information; and 1-16 WHEREAS, By working with the Texas Department of Mental 1-17 Health and Mental Retardation and other government agencies, PART 1-18 strives to improve the system of care in Texas while promoting 1-19 research that may potentially lead to the prevention of mental 1-20 retardation in many cases; and 1-21 WHEREAS, PART also supports the Volunteer Services Councils, 1-22 whose members have contributed countless hours and financial 1-23 assistance through the years as well as the devoted staffs of the 1-24 state schools and the state centers, acting as an advocate on their 2-1 behalf for increased wages, benefits, and recognition so that 2-2 qualified and dedicated workers will continue to be attracted to 2-3 employment in this field; and 2-4 WHEREAS, The efforts of PART to improve the quality of care 2-5 and services available to the mentally retarded in Texas are truly 2-6 commendable, and for its many years of service as a diligent 2-7 champion of the needs and rights of these citizens, it is most 2-8 fitting that we acknowledge this distinguished organization at this 2-9 time; now, therefore, be it 2-10 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas 2-11 Legislature hereby recognize March 13, 2001, as Parent Association 2-12 for the Retarded of Texas Day at the State Capitol and welcome the 2-13 members of its visiting delegation; and, be it further 2-14 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-15 prepared for the Parent Association for the Retarded of Texas, 2-16 Inc., as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of 2-17 Representatives.