H.R. No. 9  



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Dr. George A. Constant of Victoria has been honored 
with the 2004 Mary Holdsworth Butt Award in recognition of his 
lifelong contributions to health care in the Lone Star State; and
	WHEREAS, This prestigious accolade has been presented 
annually since 1990 to recognize those outstanding individuals who 
have worked to improve local and state programs that benefit 
individuals with mental illness or mental retardation; and
	WHEREAS, A truly deserving recipient, Dr. Constant has served 
this special community for more than 50 years, working in both the 
private and public sectors as a psychiatrist, advocate, educator, 
and mentor; and
	WHEREAS, His distinguished career began in Victoria in 1951, 
when he was the first board-certified psychiatrist in the area; in 
the 1960s, he joined with other community leaders to plan what would 
eventually become the Gulf Bend Mental Health and Mental 
Retardation Center, which is currently celebrating its 35th 
anniversary; and
	WHEREAS, Dr. Constant's pioneering efforts earned him a 
gubernatorial appointment to the first Texas MHMR board; in this 
pivotal role, he helped to launch a statewide system of 
community-based care for persons with mental illness or mental 
retardation; and
	WHEREAS, Throughout the years, this dedicated physician has 
treated thousands of Texans using medications and 
psychotherapeutic techniques that reflect the latest advancements 
and discoveries in the field; fueled by his conviction to 
counteract the stigma associated with mental illness and mental 
retardation, he has shared his vast knowledge and research with 
organizations on the local, state, and national levels and 
testified before a Texas Senate committee on the legal rights of the 
mentally retarded; he has also served as a clinical professor and 
consultant to psychiatric residency programs across the state, 
often volunteering his services at the Gulf Bend MHMR Center; and
	WHEREAS, Even today, at the age of 86, Dr. Constant continues 
to offer his services to those in need, and it is indeed a pleasure 
to honor him for his dedication and leadership in the field of 
mental health; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature hereby congratulate Dr. George A. Constant on his 
receipt of the 2004 Mary Holdsworth Butt Award and commend him for 
his innumerable contributions to his fellow Texans; and, be it 
further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for Dr. Constant as an expression of high regard by the 
Texas House of Representatives.

                                                                        Morrison

                                                  ______________________________
                                                       Speaker of the House     

	I certify that H.R. No. 9 was adopted by the House on April 
14, 2005, by a non-record vote.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House