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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, In the course of his long and accomplished career in |
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the field of mental health, Roddy Atkins has offered vital |
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assistance to residents of North Texas; and |
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WHEREAS, Raised in Wichita Falls, Mr. Atkins first became |
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interested in psychology while attending Texas Tech University; he |
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later transferred to Midwestern State University, where he earned |
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an undergraduate degree and a master's degree in counseling; and |
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WHEREAS, His professional career began at the Wichita Falls |
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Community Mental Health and Mental Retardation Center in 1980, and |
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he became a caseworker at the Vernon Drug Dependent Youth Project a |
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year later; beginning in 1988, he spent three years working as an |
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associate psychologist with the Community Services division of the |
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Wichita Falls State Hospital; and |
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WHEREAS, Deciding he could make a further contribution in the |
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administrative ranks, Mr. Atkins accepted a position supervising |
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clinics in several North Texas communities and then became a |
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community services director; in the mid-1990s, he played an |
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instrumental role in the effort to merge state operated mental |
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health and mental retardation services in the region, and he |
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ultimately oversaw the incorporation of existing facilities into |
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the Helen Farabee Regional MHMR Centers; he has held the position of |
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executive director for the organization since 1998; and |
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WHEREAS, This skilled administrator is responsible for MHMR |
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and substance abuse services for a 19-county area; his astute |
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management has allowed the Farabee centers to do an outstanding job |
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in serving their clients, many of whom are at-risk individuals who |
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lack insurance and are of limited financial means; and |
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WHEREAS, Throughout his career, Roddy Atkins has dedicated |
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himself to helping individuals to overcome and cope with issues of |
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mental health and mental retardation, and his success in this |
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admirable undertaking has enabled numerous North Texas residents to |
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establish happier and more productive lives; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas |
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Legislature hereby commend Roddy Atkins for his achievements as a |
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mental health administrator and clinician and extend to him sincere |
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best wishes for continued success; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Mr. Atkins as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
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House of Representatives. |