1-1 ****** NEED TWO-PAGE HEADER ****** 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 41 1-3 WHEREAS, Throughout the nation, Americans are seeking 1-4 innovative solutions to prevent blindness and help those affected 1-5 by this disability, and some of the most successful programs have 1-6 been those implemented by the Texas Commission for the Blind; and 1-7 WHEREAS, Enacted by the Texas Legislature in 1997, the 1-8 Blindness Education, Screening, and Treatment (BEST) Program 1-9 educates Texans who are at risk for blindness; in addition, 1-10 its initiatives include providing public vision screenings 1-11 and treatment for Lone Star State residents who lack the 1-12 necessary resources for medical eye care; and 1-13 WHEREAS, Spreading the word about the BEST Program through 1-14 public service announcements and other media, the Texas Commission 1-15 for the Blind has greatly increased the public's knowledge and 1-16 understanding of blindness; moreover, the organization's ongoing 1-17 efforts have raised awareness among groups that are more prone 1-18 to blindness; and 1-19 WHEREAS, January, 2001, is National Glaucoma Awareness 1-20 Month, and in conjunction with this noteworthy occurrence, the 1-21 Texas Commission for the Blind is encouraging Texans who are 1-22 at risk for blindness to have an optical examination; and 2-1 WHEREAS, With its proactive approach to detecting blindness 2-2 and its commitment to serving persons who have impaired vision, 2-3 the Texas Commission for the Blind has made a positive impact 2-4 throughout the entire State of Texas, and it is most appropriate 2-5 to take this opportunity to pay tribute to this outstanding state 2-6 agency; now, therefore, be it 2-7 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 2-8 77th Legislature, hereby recognize the Texas Commission for 2-9 the Blind for its many good works and deeds and urge Texans 2-10 to support the agency's Blindness Education, Screening, and 2-11 Treatment Program; and, be it further 2-12 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be 2-13 prepared for the Texas Commission for the Blind as a token of 2-14 high regard from the Texas Senate. 2-15 Moncrief 2-16 ______________________________________ 2-17 President of the Senate 2-18 I hereby certify that the above 2-19 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 2-20 on January 17, 2001. 2-21 ______________________________________ 2-22 Secretary of the Senate 2-23 ______________________________________ 2-24 Member, Texas Senate