SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 249
         WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is proud to
  recognize the Parent Association for the Retarded of Texas,
  Incorporated, for its outstanding work on behalf of persons with
  mental retardation and is pleased to proclaim March 4, 2009,
  Parent Association for the Retarded of Texas Day at the State
  Capitol; and
 
         WHEREAS, Parent Association for the Retarded of Texas is an
  organization of volunteers who are dedicated to preserving,
  improving, and expanding services for persons with mental
  retardation in our state; the association promotes quality
  services for state school residents, the mentally retarded in the
  state center system, and mentally retarded residents in the
  community; and
 
         WHEREAS, The dedicated members of Parent Association for
  the Retarded of Texas present the parents' viewpoint to the Texas
  Department of Aging and Disability Services, the State
  Legislature, Congress, and the general public; and
 
         WHEREAS, This association is well known for the support it
  offers to state school employees and its advocacy of new programs
  to meet the unique needs of persons with mental retardation; and
 
         WHEREAS, Members of Parent Association for the Retarded of
  Texas have been prominently involved in the development of
  programs for persons with mental retardation since the 1950s, and
  they have fought vigorously for improved state schools, state
  centers, special education, and community mental health and
  mental retardation centers; and
 
         WHEREAS, Today, Parent Association for the Retarded of
  Texas continues to protect persons with mental retardation in
  Texas and tenaciously places responsibility on caregivers to
  maintain standards for quality care; the organization addresses
  such issues as fiscal accountability and special population
  needs; and
 
         WHEREAS, The services provided by Parent Association for
  the Retarded of Texas have been vital to the welfare of both
  children and adults with mental retardation in our state, and
  members of the association are truly worthy of legislative
  recognition for their exceptional efforts and outstanding
  accomplishments; now, therefore, be it
 
         RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 81st
  Legislature, hereby declare March 4, 2009, Parent Association
  for the Retarded of Texas Day at the State Capitol as an
  expression of appreciation for this association's valuable
  contributions to the people of Texas; and, be it further
         RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
  Parent Association for the Retarded of Texas, Incorporated, as an
  expression of esteem from the Texas Senate.
 
  Estes
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        President of the Senate
     
        I hereby certify that the
    above Resolution was adopted by
    the Senate on February 18, 2009.
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        Secretary of the Senate
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
         Member, Texas Senate