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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, April 13, 2017, is being observed as Mommies |
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Enduring Neonatal Death Day at the State Capitol, and this occasion |
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offers an opportunity to recognize the M.E.N.D. organization and |
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the meaningful assistance that it has provided to grieving |
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families; and |
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WHEREAS, M.E.N.D. was founded in 1996 by Rebekah and Byron |
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Mitchell, who had suffered the loss of their son, Jonathan, the |
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previous year and felt moved to seek out and comfort other families |
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who have experienced miscarriage, stillbirth, or early infant |
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death; and |
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WHEREAS, The first chapter of M.E.N.D. was established in the |
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Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, where the organization continues to |
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host a variety of support groups each month, and additional |
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chapters have been formed in communities across Texas as well as in |
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Oklahoma, Illinois, Missouri, and Washington; M.E.N.D. also |
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reaches families around the world through a bimonthly newsletter |
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and a number of Facebook groups, and it maintains a website offering |
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a range of online resources for families navigating the grieving |
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process and for the health care providers who serve them; and |
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WHEREAS, Rebekah and Byron Mitchell have transformed their |
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personal tragedy into a movement that touches the lives of |
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countless people, and all those involved with M.E.N.D. are to be |
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commended for the compassion and kindness with which they have |
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helped one another on the path to healing; 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 April 13, 2017, as Mommies Enduring |
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Neonatal Death Day at the State Capitol; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for M.E.N.D. as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
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House of Representatives. |