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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Members of the Texas Renal Coalition and the Kidney |
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Alliance of Texas are visiting Austin on February 14, 2017, to |
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participate in Rita L. Littlefield Kidney Day at the State Capitol; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, This biennial event was established in 1997 by Rita |
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Littlefield, a founding member of the Texas Renal Coalition and the |
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Kidney Alliance of Texas, who has worked tirelessly for more than |
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three decades in behalf of kidney patients; the gathering unites |
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patients, health care providers, and others in the drive to raise |
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awareness of a significant medical issue; and |
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WHEREAS, Across the nation, an estimated 30 million people |
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suffer from kidney disease, and more than 600,000 are undergoing |
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lifesaving dialysis or have had a kidney transplant; in Texas, 17 |
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percent of the adult population has kidney disease, and the number |
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of dialysis patients has tripled since 1990; and |
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WHEREAS, Although kidney disease is a serious and rapidly |
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growing health problem, many Texans remain unaware that they are at |
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risk; left undetected, chronic kidney disease can lead to premature |
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death from heart disease or other complications, or to kidney |
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failure, requiring dialysis or a transplant to sustain life; early |
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detection and management can prevent or slow the progression of |
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chronic kidney disease and decrease health care expenditures |
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associated with the treatment of advanced kidney disease; and |
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WHEREAS, Many medical professionals, organizations, and |
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volunteers in the state are committed to ensuring the highest |
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quality of care for kidney patients; the Texas Renal Coalition |
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contributes significantly to this mission as it monitors health |
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policies for dialysis and transplant patients, offers education |
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programs to improve public awareness about the disease, and acts as |
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a clearinghouse for information related to legislative issues; and |
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WHEREAS, Benefiting from the dedication and leadership of |
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Rita Littlefield, the Texas Renal Coalition, the Kidney Alliance of |
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Texas, and their associates have made a positive difference in the |
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lives of innumerable Texans, and it is most fitting to recognize |
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Ms. Littlefield and these organizations for their achievements; |
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now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize February 14, 2017, as Rita L. |
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Littlefield Kidney Day at the State Capitol and extend to all those |
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participating sincere best wishes for a productive and memorable |
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event. |