SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 156

WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to recognize the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas on the occasion of World Cancer Day; and

WHEREAS, Cancer is the leading cause of death for Texans under the age of 85; Texans have entrusted $3 billion over 10 years to the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas to wage the war on cancer; the institute's mission is to invest Texans' money in the best minds in the state to create a Texas free of cancer; and

WHEREAS, The institute's investments are expediting innovation and commercialization in the area of cancer research and enhancing access to evidence-based prevention programs and services throughout the state; and

WHEREAS, The Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas has invested more than $250 million in the most creative, innovative cancer research and prevention programs across the state in the first 17 months of operation; it has awarded more than 150 research grants among 24 academic research institutions and organizations across the state; and

WHEREAS, The institute has created a statewide clinical trials network as a new model for conducting cancer clinical trials that will transform the manner in which research is done and speed the development of new drugs; it has invested in seven Texas-based companies with scientific discoveries for new cancer drugs, diagnostics, and therapies; and

WHEREAS, This outstanding organization's focus on commercializing cancer research is intended to benefit Texans by making new products available to cancer patients more quickly, reducing health care costs and lost productivity, creating new highly skilled jobs, expanding the state's research capabilities and life science infrastructure, and enhancing state revenue for increased economic activity; and

WHEREAS, The institute has attracted 10 of the best cancer researchers from institutions around the United States, such as Harvard University and Stanford University, to Texas through its Scholar in Cancer Research Program, and it has made more than 50 prevention awards to support unique projects and new partnerships which employ novel methods to increase cancer screening services and improve early detection of cancer; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 82nd Legislature, hereby commend the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas on its valuable work in the fight against cancer; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for the institute 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 January 31, 2011.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate