H.R. No. 1743

	R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Deborah Bell of Gilmer
	, the founder of Refuge
	International, truly merits special recognition for the many
	contributions she has made to the health and well-being of
	countless individuals through her humanitarian efforts; and
	WHEREAS, In 2003, moved by what she saw during a volunteer
	trip to Guatemala, Ms. Bell started Refuge International, a
	nonprofit organization dedicated to improving lives in areas where
	such essentials as adequate health care, nutrition, and clean water
	are lacking or nonexistent; under her able guidance, the group
	leads numerous mission trips each year and has established
	permanent medical clinics in San Raymundo, Sarstun, and Chocola,
	Guatemala; partially funded through the sale of items handmade in
	remote villages, Refuge International also digs wells, advances
	educational projects, distributes deworming medication, and works
	with government agencies to send Guatemalan children to the
	Scottish Rite Hospital in Dallas for life-changing surgeries; and
	WHEREAS, Ms. Bell's can-do attitude and boundless compassion
	also benefit residents of the Longview area, where she has served
	the local community for many years as a nurse practitioner;
	furthermore, in 2009, she forged a partnership between Refuge
	International and physicians, nurses, and students from Longview
	Emergency Medicine Associates and The University of Texas at Tyler
	to provide free medical care to the homeless population housed at
	Hiway 80 Rescue Mission; and
	WHEREAS, In appreciation of her tireless efforts in behalf of
	others, this highly esteemed individual has received a number of
	accolades, including a 2005 Stand on a Better World Award, the 2007
	Texas Nurse Practitioner of the Year Award, and the 2012 Citizen of
	the Year Award from the Longview Rotary Club; and
	WHEREAS, Deborah Bell's public-spiritedness and volunteerism
	are an inspiration to many people, and her commitment to enhancing
	the quality of life for people both locally and abroad has earned
	her the enduring respect and admiration of all who are privileged to
	know her; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
	Legislature hereby honor Deborah Bell for her outstanding service
	to those in need through her work with Refuge International and
	extend to her sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it
	further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
	prepared for Deborah Bell as an expression of high regard by the
	Texas House of Representatives.
	Simpson
	Larson
	Straus González Paddie
	Allen Guerra Parker
	Alonzo Guillen Paul
	Alvarado Gutierrez Peña
	Anchia Harless Phelan
	Anderson of Dallas Hernandez Phillips
	Anderson of McLennan Herrero Pickett
	Ashby Howard Price
	Aycock Huberty Raney
	Bell Hughes Raymond
	Bernal Hunter Reynolds
	Blanco Isaac Riddle
	Bohac Israel Rinaldi
	Bonnen of Brazoria Johnson Rodriguez of Bexar
	Bonnen of Galveston Kacal Rodriguez of Travis
	Burkett Keffer Romero, Jr.
	Burns Keough Rose
	Burrows King of Hemphill Sanford
	Button King of Parker Schaefer
	Canales King of Taylor Schofield
	Capriglione King of Uvalde Schubert
	Clardy Klick Shaheen
	Coleman Koop Sheets
	Collier Krause Sheffield
	Cook Kuempel Simmons
	Craddick Landgraf Simpson
	Crownover Larson Smith
	Cyrier Laubenberg Smithee
	Dale Leach Spitzer
	Darby Longoria Springer
	Davis of Dallas Lozano Stephenson
	Davis of Harris Lucio III Stickland
	Deshotel Márquez Thompson of Brazoria
	Dukes Martinez Thompson of Harris
	Dutton Martinez Fischer Tinderholt
	Elkins McClendon Turner of Collin
	Faircloth Metcalf Turner of Harris
	Fallon Meyer Turner of Tarrant
	Farias Miles VanDeaver
	Farney Miller of Comal Villalba
	Farrar Miller of Fort Bend Vo
	Fletcher Moody Walle
	Flynn Morrison White of Bell
	Frank Muñoz, Jr. White of Tyler
	Frullo Murphy Workman
	Galindo Murr Wray
	Geren Naishtat Wu
	Giddings Nevárez Zedler
	Goldman Oliveira Zerwas
	Gonzales Otto
	______________________________
	Speaker of the House
	I certify that H.R. No. 1743 was adopted by the House on April
	13, 2015, by a non-record vote.
	______________________________
	Chief Clerk of the House