H.C.R. No. 147

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Melinda Corwin has been honored by the YWCA of Lubbock with a Women of Excellence Award for her remarkable achievements in the field of science, and her selection for this tribute is most fitting; and

WHEREAS, The Women of Excellence Award was created in 1989 to emphasize the vital roles that women play in both the civic and professional worlds, honoring women for their achievements and for their contributions to the community as leaders and volunteers; and

WHEREAS, A clinician, educator, and assistant professor in the Texas Tech University Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, Dr. Corwin has based her career on two core tenets: the value of community and the human need to communicate; and

WHEREAS, Earning bachelor's and master's degrees from Texas Tech in speech and hearing sciences, Dr. Corwin worked at Methodist Hospital in Lubbock as a speech-language pathologist for five years before joining the university faculty; and

WHEREAS, In 1998, she established the Stroke Recovery/Aphasia Group Therapy Program in an effort to improve the communicative abilities of aphasia and dementia patients; recently featured as an Aphasia Group of the Month in the National Aphasia Association's December 2008 newsletter, this important program provides speech-language therapy in a small-group setting to help members regain communication skills and reenter their communities and is often the sole source of socialization for its members; and

WHEREAS, Voted Outstanding Clinical Supervisor on three occasions by her students, Dr. Corwin has earned either Teacher of the Year or the Excellence in Teaching award 10 times; she serves as the faculty sponsor for the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center chapter of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association and is a frequent appointee to committees within her department and for the School of Allied Health Sciences; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Corwin has shared her knowledge statewide, nationally, and internationally on such topics as communication, adult neurogenic and swallowing disorders, enhancing communication with dementia and aphasia patients, the impact of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder on individuals and families, and the benefits of service learning projects; and

WHEREAS, Extending her reach to broader audiences, Dr. Corwin has written numerous articles that have been published in books and peer-reviewed journals; she has also chaired the Publications Board of the Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Association, served as a member of the Legislative Network and task forces, and twice sat on the Convention Program Committee for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association; and

WHEREAS, With her receipt of a Women of Excellence Award, Melinda Corwin joins an elite group of women who have been honored by the YWCA of Lubbock; distinguished by her intelligence, determination, and talent, she is indeed a worthy role model for this and future generations; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the 81st Legislature of the State of Texas hereby congratulate Melinda Corwin on receiving a 2009 Women of Excellence Award from the YWCA of Lubbock and extend to her sincere best wishes for continued success and happiness; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Dr. Corwin as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate.

Isett

______________________________ ______________________________

President of the Senate Speaker of the House

I certify that H.C.R. No. 147 was adopted by the House on April 9, 2009, by a non-record vote.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House

I certify that H.C.R. No. 147 was adopted by the Senate on May 18, 2009, by a viva-voce vote.

______________________________ Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: __________________

Date

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Governor