By Naishtat H.R. No. 1238 77R17784 JKB-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, Dr. Patricia R. Cole, known throughout the 1-2 legislative community as "Pat," is celebrating more than 25 years 1-3 of leadership in health and human services public policy advocacy; 1-4 and 1-5 WHEREAS, Dr. Cole arrived on the legislative scene as an 1-6 advocate for people with speech, hearing, and learning disorders 1-7 and chemical dependencies, but due to her extensive knowledge, 1-8 experience, and natural powers of persuasion, she quickly emerged 1-9 as a proponent for myriad causes that affect women and their 1-10 families; and 1-11 WHEREAS, Appointed by former governor Ann Richards to serve 1-12 as the governor's director of health and human services policy, 1-13 this esteemed woman was responsible for the oversight of 12 state 1-14 agencies, including policy and program development, service 1-15 delivery, funding, and interagency coordination; in that role, she 1-16 aided the governor and the state legislature in such vital actions 1-17 as setting appropriate funding levels and serving as a liaison with 1-18 professional organizations and advocates throughout the state; and 1-19 WHEREAS, Recognizing the pervasive links between violence 1-20 against women, poverty, substance and alcohol abuse, and mental 1-21 illness, Dr. Cole turned her notable talents to these areas, and 1-22 she represented Communities in Schools and the Texas Council on 1-23 Family Violence; and 1-24 WHEREAS, Over the years, her passion for addressing the 2-1 challenges facing low-income women and victims of domestic violence 2-2 continued to grow, and she helped to form the National Training 2-3 Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence in 1998, serving as both its 2-4 associate director and its public policy director; and 2-5 WHEREAS, Dr. Cole has authored numerous articles in scholarly 2-6 publications, has received honors from many state and national 2-7 organizations, and was recently honored as a Distinguished Alumni 2-8 by the college of communication at The University of Texas at 2-9 Austin; and 2-10 WHEREAS, A woman whose smile and sense of humor is surpassed 2-11 only by her visible commitment to her fellowman, Dr. Patricia Cole 2-12 has garnered the respect and admiration of her colleagues, her 2-13 friends, and past and present members of the Texas Legislature; 2-14 through her tireless efforts, she has raised awareness of important 2-15 issues, especially those affecting the women of this state, and it 2-16 is a privilege to honor her at this time; now, therefore, be it 2-17 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas 2-18 Legislature hereby recognize May 24, 2001, as Pat Cole Appreciation 2-19 Day in Texas and extend to her sincere best wishes for the future; 2-20 and, be it further 2-21 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-22 prepared for Dr. Cole as an expression of highest regard by the 2-23 Texas House of Representatives.