SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 504

WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to recognize the Parent Association for the Retarded of Texas, Incorporated, on the occasion of Parent Association for the Retarded of Texas Day at the State Capitol, which is being celebrated March 23, 2011; 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, those in the state center system, and mentally retarded residents in the community; and

WHEREAS, The dedicated members of the 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 for new programs designed to meet the unique needs of persons with mental retardation; and

WHEREAS, Association members 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, the association continues to protect persons with mental retardation in Texas and resolutely holds caregivers responsible for upholding standards of quality care; the organization also addresses such issues as fiscal accountability and special population needs; and

WHEREAS, The services provided by the 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, 82nd Legislature, hereby declare March 23, 2011, Parent Association for the Retarded of Texas Day at the State Capitol in recognition of this association's valuable contributions to the people of Texas; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for this outstanding organization as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate. Estes

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on March 15, 2011.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate