79S20668 MMS-D



By:  Baxter                                                       H.R. No. 256







R E S O L U T I O N

	WHEREAS, The Rotary Club of Austin, in keeping with the 

Rotary International tradition of humanitarian service, is 

sponsoring the inaugural Rotary Week for World Health, beginning 

January 3, 2006; and

	WHEREAS, Members of the Austin club are encouraging other 

Rotary groups to join them in refraining from serving a meal during 

their meetings that week; the hunger that members experience 

briefly will serve as a reminder of the plight suffered by billions 

of people around the world on a daily basis, and the money that 

members would have otherwise spent on their meal is to be donated to 

community-based health projects around the world; participating 

clubs will also focus their attention and efforts on health issues 

through speakers, programs, projects, and other activities; and

	WHEREAS, Rotary International is an organization of business 

and professional people who work to better the lives of those in 

need, who promote high ethical standards in all vocations, and who 

help build goodwill and peace throughout the world; today there are 

more than 1.2 million Rotarians in over 30,000 Rotary clubs in 168 

countries; and

	WHEREAS, Rotary's staunch commitment to service is 

exemplified by the organization's crucial role in the drive to 

eradicate polio; through a worldwide campaign inspired by Rotary 

efforts and joined by the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and 

the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, more than two billion 

children in 122 countries have been vaccinated against polio since 

1985; it is estimated that by the time the world is certified as 

polio-free, probably in 2008, Rotarians will have contributed $600 

million to the eradication effort, in addition to the volunteer 

manpower provided to actually administer the vaccine; and

	WHEREAS, While polio has now been eliminated in all but a 

handful of countries, other devastating illnesses, such as malaria, 

typhoid, cholera, and tuberculosis, continue to blight the lives of 

people in developing regions; to assist in addressing these 

challenges, as well as such related concerns as lack of potable 

water and malnutrition, is the mission of the newly created Health 

Committee of the Rotary Club of Austin; members of that club believe 

firmly that the concerted efforts of Rotarians worldwide can make a 

difference in the lives of millions of men, women, and children who 

are threatened by dangerous health conditions, and it is a pleasure 

to commend this club for its determined advocacy; now, therefore, 

be it

	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 

Legislature, 2nd Called Session, hereby recognize the week 

beginning January 3, 2006, as Rotary Week for World Health and 

encourage all Texans to support this admirable initiative; and, be 

it further

	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 

prepared for the Rotary Club of Austin as an expression of  high 

regard by the Texas House of Representatives.