SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 251

WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to recognize Russell K. Tolman, chief executive of Cook Children's Health Care System, who is retiring after 25 years of loyal service; and

WHEREAS, Russell Tolman became chief executive of Cook Children's Health Care System in 1982; he guided the original 183-bed hospital through its merger with the Fort Worth Children's Hospital in 1985 and has helped orchestrate the expansion to a healthcare system; and

WHEREAS, The nonprofit healthcare system includes a physician network of more than 200 pediatricians and specialists, a home healthcare unit, a health plan, an outpatient surgery and urgent care center in Hurst, and a child-development center operated jointly with Harris Methodist Fort Worth Hospital; and

WHEREAS, With the addition of a $53 million, five-story patient pavilion in 2003, the medical center has grown to include 282 beds; and

WHEREAS, A highly respected professional, Russell Tolman will be greatly missed by all those whose lives he touched in the Cook Children's Health Care System; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 80th Legislature, hereby commend Russell K. Tolman for his lasting contributions to Cook Children's Health Care System during his 25 years of dedicated service and extend to him best wishes for the future; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for him as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate. Nelson

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on February 19, 2007.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate