84R10010 CJM-D
 
  By: Naishtat H.R. No. 693
 
 
 
R E S O L U T I O N
         WHEREAS, Traumatic brain injuries are a dangerous reality for
  many Texans, but there have been significant advances toward better
  awareness, understanding, and support over the past several years;
  and
         WHEREAS, Approximately 144,000 Texans sustain traumatic
  brain injuries annually, and about 4,000 of those die from their
  injuries; an estimated 500,000 Texans are currently living with a
  disability caused by traumatic brain injury, which remains the
  leading cause of death and disability in persons under 45 and is
  especially common among children and teenagers; and
         WHEREAS, In order to mitigate the societal impact of this
  type of trauma, the 78th Texas Legislature established the Texas
  Traumatic Brain Injury Advisory Council and charged it with
  identifying individuals with TBIs, informing state leadership of
  their needs, recommending policies to address those needs,
  encouraging research into causes and prevention, and promoting
  awareness; in the past several years, the TBIAC has accomplished
  these core responsibilities by implementing a myriad of successful
  programs across the state; and
         WHEREAS, The council, with members appointed by the executive
  commissioner of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, has
  partnered with various agencies to ensure that individuals with
  TBIs have access to adequate and high quality care; created in 2007,
  the Office of Acquired Brain Injury researched and provided several
  options to fund waivers for affected patients; the OABI and TBIAC
  have collaborated on the development of accredited online training
  courses for public health professionals, caregivers, social
  workers, survivors, law enforcement personnel, and family members
  dealing with TBIs; the OABI and the council also teamed up with the
  Texas Education Agency to create a resource on TBIs and successful
  communication and teaching skills for educators; in addition, the
  OABI works closely with the Texas State Athletic Trainers' 
  Association to raise awareness of sports concussions; and
         WHEREAS, A large number of United States service members
  suffer from TBIs, especially those returning from the wars in Iraq
  and Afghanistan, and the TBIAC has worked especially hard to help
  these brave men and women manage their conditions; with the OABI and
  the Department of Veterans Affairs, the council released an
  instructional video in both English and Spanish that offers advice
  for effective communication and reviews available resources for
  veterans with TBIs; and
         WHEREAS, Traumatic brain injuries affect Texans from all
  backgrounds and of all ages, and it is fitting to take this
  opportunity to celebrate the achievements of those who have
  sustained brain injuries and to pay tribute to the many caregivers
  and professionals who support them; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
  Legislature hereby recognize March 2015 as Brain Injury Awareness
  Month and honor the work of the Texas Traumatic Brain Injury
  Advisory Council; and, be it further
         RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
  prepared for the TBIAC as an expression of high regard by the Texas
  House of Representatives.