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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The March of Dimes Foundation is celebrating its |
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75th anniversary during 2013; and |
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WHEREAS, Established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in |
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1938, the original purpose of the March of Dimes was to fight polio, |
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and it helped fund the development of two vaccines in the 1950s to |
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safeguard individuals against the disease; following those |
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successes, the organization shifted its focus to the prevention of |
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birth defects in 1958; and |
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WHEREAS, In the decades since, the March of Dimes has been a |
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pioneer in the field, making groundbreaking advances in maternal |
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and child health; the group's research has led to the discovery of |
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lifesaving products and techniques such as surfactant therapy for |
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premature infants and tests to identify birth defects; and |
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WHEREAS, A longtime advocate for improved access to health |
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care for women, children, and families, the March of Dimes has |
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collaborated with elected officials in national and state |
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government to realize progress in this area; in 2003, the group |
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authored the Prematurity Research Expansion and Education for |
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Mothers Who Deliver Infants Early (PREEMIE) Act, which became law |
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in 2006; two years later, Congress passed the Newborn Screening |
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Saves Lives Act, and the March of Dimes worked to ensure that every |
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state in the nation implemented the screening procedures detailed |
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in the legislation; and |
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WHEREAS, The March of Dimes sponsors numerous programs in |
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Texas to support healthy pregnancies and infants; focusing on |
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community engagement and information sharing, these worthy |
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endeavors range from providing assistance to families with newborn |
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children in intensive care units to funding scholarships for |
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individuals pursuing careers in perinatal health care; and |
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WHEREAS, For three quarters of a century, the March of Dimes |
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and its dedicated volunteers have carried out important efforts to |
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improve the health of individuals throughout the United States, and |
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this admirable organization is sure to remain a positive force in |
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the years ahead; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas |
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Legislature hereby honor the March of Dimes Foundation on its 75th |
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anniversary and extend to the Texas chapter of the organization |
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sincere best wishes for continued success. |