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SENATE RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to |
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recognize Kalliope Benitez and to join in efforts to raise |
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awareness of Battens CLN5 disease; and |
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WHEREAS, Kalliope Benitez is a spunky and courageous young |
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citizen who is battling Battens CLN5 disease, a rare inherited |
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disorder of the nervous system; and |
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WHEREAS, Like most individuals diagnosed with this |
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condition, Kalliope developed healthily and flourished alongside |
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her friends and peers through her preschool years; soon after |
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beginning kindergarten, she began losing control of her basic |
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motor functioning, and today, the nine year old depends on the |
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full-time assistance of caregivers to meet her day-to-day needs; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Battens CLN5 disease is a relatively unknown |
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condition inherited by the mutations of the CLN5 gene in both |
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parents, who typically show no symptoms of the disease; symptoms |
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can begin anytime between childhood and early adulthood, and they |
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usually appear around the age of five; and |
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WHEREAS, Research initially indicated that Battens CLN5 |
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was a disease affecting only the Finnish population, yet further |
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studies have shown that approximately one in 100,000 individuals |
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around the world are affected by the disorder; and |
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WHEREAS, Awareness is key to the knowledge and |
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understanding of Battens CLN5 disease, and continued research |
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will help promote positive outcomes for young citizens like |
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Kalliope Benitez; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 87th |
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Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby extend sincere best |
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wishes to Kalliope Benitez and to her family and caregivers and |
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urge communities across Texas to raise local awareness about |
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Battens CLN5 disease; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in |
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honor of Kalliope Benitez. |