86R21015 BK-D

By: Phelan H.R. No. 997

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, Patient AirLift Services, through its Sky Hope Disaster Relief Program, played a vital role in the Hurricane Harvey recovery effort by transporting patients, relief workers, and supplies into and out of the disaster area; and

WHEREAS, PALS is a nonprofit organization, based in the northeastern United States, that arranges free air transportation to medical appointments for individuals who cannot afford or are otherwise unable to fly commercially; it also deploys flights for humanitarian purposes in the event of natural or man-made disasters; and

WHEREAS, The historic flooding that took place as Hurricane Harvey swept through Southeast Texas in August 2017 created one of the worst humanitarian crises in the area in recent history; answering the call to action, PALS and its partners flew a total of 154 missions into Jefferson and Orange Counties, 114 of which were flights that involved delivering 500-1,000 pounds of food, water, medical supplies, and other equipment; the remainder of the missions transported passengers, including patients with urgent medical needs, health care workers, and search and rescue teams; and

WHEREAS, The courageous efforts of PALS pilots and crews were instrumental in preventing further loss of life in communities that were impacted the worst by the storm, and all those affiliated with this outstanding program have earned the heartfelt gratitude of countless Texans; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 86th Texas Legislature hereby honor the Patient AirLift Services Sky Hope Disaster Relief Program for its aid to the State of Texas in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey and extend to PALS and its partners sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for PALS as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.