SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 173

	WHEREAS, The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for 
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) gives critical support to 
low-income clients who are at risk for a range of health problems 
related to poor nutrition; and
	WHEREAS, This vital federal program, begun in 1972, is 
administered by the Texas Department of Health, which provides 
funds to agencies that operate local WIC offices throughout the 
state; WIC serves qualifying infants, children up to the age of 
five, and women who are pregnant, who have had a baby within the 
past six months, or who are breast-feeding a baby under the age of 
one; and
	WHEREAS, The program provides both vouchers for healthy 
foods and essential information about nutrition; it offers 
classes on topics ranging from parenting skills to common infant 
problems, the stages of child development, and the importance of 
immunizations; moreover, WIC staff members refer clients to such 
services as job banks, literacy programs, child care, and medical 
and dental services; and
	WHEREAS, Studies have shown that women who participate in 
the program during their pregnancies have lower Medicaid costs 
for themselves and their babies and that participation reduces 
premature births, the fetal death rate, low-birthweight births, 
and long-term medical expenses and leads to improved cognitive 
development in children; and
	WHEREAS, WIC has improved the health and lives of 
countless Texas mothers and children, fostering a brighter 
future for them and for the Lone Star State; now, therefore, 
be it
	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 
78th Legislature, hereby recognize February 19, 2003, as 
WIC Day at the State Capitol and extend to WIC administrators 
and staff sincere appreciation for their skilled and dedicated 
efforts.
                                                                        Hinojosa




________________________________ 
    President of the Senate
 
    I hereby certify that the 
above Resolution was adopted by 
the Senate on February 19, 2003.



________________________________ 
    Secretary of the Senate



________________________________ 
     Member, Texas Senate