83R29292 BK-D

By: Johnson H.R. No. 2346

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, Throughout its long and impressive history, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center has stood at the forefront of important medical research that has changed the way the world thinks about the most challenging and devastating diseases and that has resulted in revolutionary new treatments and outcomes; and

WHEREAS, Recognized as highly significant to the medical community, these discoveries have led to an unprecedented number of national and international peer-reviewed honors for UT Southwestern faculty, including election to some of our nation's most prestigious medical research organizations; and

WHEREAS, UT Southwestern faculty boast a level of achievement that is unique in the State of Texas; the institution is now home to 95 percent of all scientists at state health-related institutions who have been elected to the National Academy of Sciences, regarded as the "hall of fame" for U.S. researchers, and 100 percent of those selected as investigators of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, a coveted honor that brings in many millions in private grant funding; moreover, all five Nobel laureates at statewide health-related institutions, including four laureates who are active, are affiliated with UT Southwestern; and

WHEREAS, Adding to this highly distinguished roster, UT Southwestern is pleased to announce the election of another of its faculty members to the National Academy of Sciences, Dr. Beth Levine; an expert in autophagy, she identified the first known gene responsible for the cellular process by which cells devour their own damaged or unneeded components, a function that is critical for protection against many cancers and viral and bacterial infections; and

WHEREAS, The mission of UT Southwestern Medical Center and its renowned faculty is to deliver quality medical care that brings scientific advances to the bedside, to conduct high-impact, internationally recognized research, and to educate leaders in biomedical science, patient care, and disease prevention; acknowledging research as the cornerstone on which world-class health education and patient care are built, UT Southwestern annually secures more than $415 million for cutting-edge medical studies; and

WHEREAS, UT Southwestern, the sixth-largest medical school in the United States, educates more than 930 medical students and over 1,600 residents; it ranks as the nation's fourth-largest graduate medical education program and the single largest in the state, training nearly one in four doctors at all statewide health-related institutions; in addition, its faculty educate over 1,800 graduate students and Fellows as part of the largest biomedical sciences graduate program in Texas, thereby contributing promising scientific minds to our state and nation; and

WHEREAS, Serving the health care needs of their community, the faculty and residents of UT Southwestern care for more than 100,000 hospitalized patients and conduct nearly 2.1 million outpatient visits each year; the medical center also plays an important role in the regional economy, with approximately 12,000 employees and an annual operating budget of nearly $1.8 billion; and

WHEREAS, Dedicated to improving the field of medicine through research, innovation, and education, UT Southwestern Medical Center is developing the next generation of health professionals and the next wave of lifesaving treatments, and it is a privilege to recognize its ongoing commitment to excellence; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas Legislature hereby honor The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center on its unique contributions in research and education and extend to all those associated with the institution sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for UT Southwestern Medical Center as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.