SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 751

WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to recognize Huston-Tillotson University, which is the first institution of higher education in Central Texas to become a tobacco-free campus; and

WHEREAS, Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the United States, with cigarette smoking responsible for some 440,000 deaths each year; those exposed to secondhand smoke are up to 30 percent more likely to acquire lung cancer; and

WHEREAS, African Americans suffer disproportionately from tobacco-related disease and mortality, and Huston-Tillotson University, a historically black institution, assists students, faculty, and staff members who wish to quit smoking or using tobacco by offering tobacco cessation programs and health information; and

WHEREAS, Dedicated to providing a healthy environment for all those on its campus, Huston-Tillotson University is the first historically black institution in Texas to become tobacco-free and one of only three college campuses in the state to do so; and

WHEREAS, Huston-Tillotson University is committed to the health of its students, faculty, and staff, and this institution is truly deserving of recognition for making this important decision; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 82nd Legislature, hereby commend Huston-Tillotson University on its choice to be a tobacco-free campus and extend best wishes for success to all those who wish to stop using tobacco; and, be it further

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

Watson

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on April 12, 2011.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate