By: Bonnen H.R. No. 251
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The House of Representatives of the State of Texas
is pleased to recognize The University of Texas M. D. Anderson
Cancer Center in Houston, one of the world's most respected centers
devoted exclusively to cancer patient care, research, education,
and prevention; and
WHEREAS, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
is well known the world over for its multidisciplinary approach to
treating cancer; since 1944, more than 600,000 cancer patients have
received treatment at the facility; and
WHEREAS, The center's cancer research program is one of the
most productive efforts in the world and ranks first in the number
of grants awarded by the National Cancer Institute; each year, the
center's educational programs provide training to several hundred
residents and fellows who receive specialized training in the
investigation and treatment of cancer; and
WHEREAS, One of the center's most innovative programs is the
annual rehabilitation trip in January to the National Ability
Center in Park City, Utah; funded by the Children's Art Project, the
trip provides pediatric cancer patients time away from cancer
treatments and time to enjoy breathtaking scenery and outdoor
activities; and
WHEREAS, The rehabilitation program offers the patients
snow-skiing lessons, giving them an opportunity to acquire a new
skill and gain a sense of accomplishment; the patients gain
confidence as their skiing skills progress and often participate in
other activities, such as swimming in a heated pool, driving
snowmobiles, and dancing, with newfound assurance; and
WHEREAS, The ski trip was conceived by Dr. Norman Jaffe, a
pediatric oncologist and a professor at The University of Texas,
after hearing a young cancer patient, Ted Kennedy, Jr., describe
his adventures on the ski slopes; Dr. Jaffe realized that skiing
could be a novel form of physical rehabilitation and, with a crew of
volunteers and specially trained ski instructors, began taking
pediatric cancer patients to the mountains each year; and
WHEREAS, Besides the benefits of physical rehabilitation,
the ski trip offers psychosocial rehabilitation; the cancer
patients and survivors gain confidence and give each other hope and
support as they master new skills and make new friends; the trip
facilitates both physical and social healing and gives parents
reassurance regarding their children's abilities; and
WHEREAS, With more than 12,000 employees and a volunteer
workforce of approximately 1,400, the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
is a vital force in the City of Houston and our state, and its
services have had a positive impact on the lives of people around
the world; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the State of
Texas, 79th Legislature, hereby pay tribute to The University of
Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center for its excellent treatment
programs and commend all the people involved with the annual
rehabilitation ski trip for young cancer patients; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be prepared as an
expression of high regard from the Texas House of Representatives.
Bonnen
Craddick Geren Menendez
Allen of Harris Giddings Merritt
Allen of Dallas Gonzales Miller
Alonzo Gonzalez Toureilles Moreno of Harris
Anchia Goodman Moreno of El Paso
Anderson Goolsby Morrison
Bailey Griggs Mowery
Baxter Grusendorf Naishtat
Berman Guillen Nixon
Blake Haggerty Noriega
Bohac Hamilton Oliveira
Bonnen Hamric Olivo
Branch Hardcastle Orr
Brown of Kaufman Harper-Brown Otto
Brown of Brazos Hartnett Paxton
Burnam Hegar Pena
Callegari Herrero Phillips
Campbell Hilderbran Pickett
Casteel Hill Pitts
Castro Hochberg Puente
Chavez Hodge Quintanilla
Chisum Homer Raymond
Coleman Hope Reyna
Cook of Navarro Hopson Riddle
Cook of Colorado Howard Ritter
Corte Hughes Rodriguez
Crabb Hunter Rose
Crownover Hupp Seaman
Davis of Harris Isett Smith of Tarrant
Davis of Dallas Jackson Smith of Harris
Dawson Jones of Lubbock Smithee
Delisi Jones of Dallas Solis
Denny Keel Solomons
Deshotel Keffer of Dallas Strama
Driver Keffer of Eastland Swinford
Dukes King of Parker Talton
Dunnam King of Zavala Taylor
Dutton Kolkhorst Thompson
Edwards Krusee Truitt
Eiland Kuempel Turner
Eissler Laney Uresti
Elkins Laubenberg Van Arsdale
Escobar Leibowitz Veasey
Farabee Luna Villarreal
Farrar Madden Vo
Flores Martinez West
Flynn Martinez Fischer Wong
Frost McCall Woolley
Gallego McClendon Zedler
Gattis McReynolds
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 251 was adopted by the House on
February 9, 2005, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House