SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 99
         WHEREAS, For 40 years, Mercy Ships has sailed across the
  world to help people in developing nations without access to
  safe, affordable medical care; and
         WHEREAS, Founded in 1978 by Don and Deyon Stephens, the
  faith-based charity uses state-of-the-art hospital ships that
  are crewed by hundreds of volunteers, including surgeons,
  dentists, nurses, health care trainers, and teachers; due to the
  fact that more than half of the world's population lives within
  100 miles of a coast, the organization's ships are able to reach
  thousands of people and perform a variety of onboard procedures,
  which include dental, plastic reconstructive, maxillofacial,
  eye, and orthopedic surgery; often, these surgical interventions
  have a profound impact in the lives of patients, whose conditions
  may have previously left them unable to find work and socially
  isolated in their communities; and
         WHEREAS, Since its inception, volunteers with Mercy Ships
  have carried out more than 95,000 surgeries, and the organization
  has provided services and materials that are valued at over $1.53
  billion; its hospital ships have visited close to 600 ports over
  the past four decades, and its current vessel, Africa Mercy,
  boasts a greater capacity than all prior ships combined; and
         WHEREAS, The many caring volunteers of Mercy Ships have
  brought hope and healing to those in need, and in so doing they
  have transformed the lives of countless people across the globe;
  now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 86th
  Legislature, hereby congratulate Mercy Ships on its 40th
  anniversary and extend to all those involved with this remarkable
  organization sincere best wishes for continued success with
  their important work; and, be it further
         RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be
  prepared for Mercy Ships as an expression of high regard by the
  Texas Senate.
 
  Hughes
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        President of the Senate
     
        I hereby certify that the
    above Resolution was adopted by
    the Senate on January 30, 2019.
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        Secretary of the Senate
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
         Member, Texas Senate