SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 98
WHEREAS, The Senate 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 Senate 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 Senate.
Fraser
Barrientos Hinojosa Nelson
Deuell Jackson Shapiro
Duncan Janek Van de Putte
Ellis Lindsay Wentworth
Gallegos Lucio Williams
Harris Madla Zaffirini
Dewhurst, President of the Senate
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on February 9, 2005.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate