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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, For more than three decades, Mercy Ships has |
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operated hospital ships that deliver free, world-class health care |
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services to those without access in over 70 developing nations; and |
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WHEREAS, This Christian-based global charity was founded in |
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1978 by Don and Deyon Stephens of Garden Valley with the mission "to |
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bring hope and healing to the forgotten poor"; today they oversee |
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the Africa Mercy, the world's largest nongovernmental hospital |
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ship, consisting of six operating rooms and berth capacity for some |
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484 people; and |
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WHEREAS, Representing more than 35 nations, the crew of the |
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Africa Mercy provides up to 7,000 surgical interventions onboard |
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every year, including cataract removal, tumor removal, cleft lip |
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and palate reconstruction, orthopaedic repair, and obstetric |
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fistula repair; and |
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WHEREAS, Volunteers also go ashore to provide dental and oral |
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health care education, immunizations, and lessons on a variety of |
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community health issues; moreover, they offer palliative home care |
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for terminally ill patients, as well as support for their families; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Since its inception, the organization has directly |
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served more than 2.16 million people, delivered services valued at |
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more than $748 million, and completed more than 900 construction |
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and agriculture projects, including schools, clinics, and |
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orphanages; and |
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WHEREAS, The founders, staff, and volunteers of Mercy Ships |
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have had a profound impact on the fight for global health, and their |
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tireless work in behalf of individuals in need around the world is |
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truly an inspiration; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas |
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Legislature hereby honor Mercy Ships for its outstanding |
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contributions to global health and extend to all those associated |
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with this remarkable organization sincere best wishes for continued |
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success; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Mercy Ships as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |