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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The first full week of February is observed as Burn |
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Awareness Week, a nationwide campaign to inform the public about |
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the risk and prevention of burn injury; and |
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WHEREAS, Fires and burns are one of the leading causes of |
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accidental death and morbidity in the United States; millions of |
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Americans are victims of some type of burn injury each year, |
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including tens of thousands that require serious medical care; |
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severe burns are considered by many to be the most painful and |
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traumatic type of injury, as these burns often require a long and |
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complex series of treatments, taking a devastating toll on a |
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patient's quality of life; and |
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WHEREAS, The risk of burn injury is greatest in the home, as |
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many common household activities and appliances carry the potential |
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for burns; children and aging adults are especially likely to |
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sustain scald injuries from hot liquids or foods, and burns can also |
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result from contact with electricity or corrosive chemicals; and |
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WHEREAS, Texas is home to a number of state-of-the-art burn |
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centers that are specifically equipped to meet the challenges |
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associated with burn treatment and rehabilitation; Shriners |
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Hospitals for Children, which operates a renowned burn institute in |
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Galveston, is dedicated to providing advanced burn care to children |
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in need regardless of their families' ability to pay, and the |
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organization additionally conducts vital research and prevention |
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efforts with the goal of lowering the incidence of burn injury and |
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enabling survivors to lead full, productive lives; and |
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WHEREAS, Safety education is key to reducing the threat of |
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burns, and Burn Awareness Week underscores the urgent need for all |
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Texans to learn more about the hazards of burns and how to act |
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appropriately to protect themselves and their loved ones; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize February 7 through 13, 2016, as Burn |
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Awareness Week in Texas, and that Shriners Hospitals for Children |
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and all other participating individuals and organizations be |
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commended for their continued support for this worthy endeavor. |