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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Amber Cervantes has worked tirelessly to raise |
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awareness about the neurodegenerative disorder known as |
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Huntington's disease, and her efforts are indeed deserving of |
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special recognition; and |
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WHEREAS, A native of El Paso and an educator in the Georgetown |
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Independent School District, Mrs. Cervantes became active in the |
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Huntington's disease community after her husband, Albert, was |
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diagnosed in 2018; at the time, Mr. Cervantes was a member of the |
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United States Air Force, and he ultimately served his nation for |
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more than 20 years before retiring; the disease is characterized by |
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such neurological symptoms as mood swings, depression, |
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forgetfulness, involuntary movements, and difficulties with speech |
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and swallowing, which become more severe over time; as the disease |
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progresses, sufferers gradually lose the ability to carry out daily |
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tasks on their own, leading to increasing reliance on family |
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members and caregivers; and |
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WHEREAS, The life-altering nature of Huntington's disease, |
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combined with the fact that it often manifests during a person's |
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prime working years, can be devastating for affected individuals |
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and their loved ones; hoping to make a difference for families like |
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her own, Mrs. Cervantes became involved in the Huntington's Disease |
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Society of America and has since lobbied for timely Medicare |
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assistance for those coping with a Huntington's disease diagnosis; |
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her advocacy efforts have included meeting with numerous |
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congressional offices and rallying support among lawmakers for the |
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Huntington's Disease Parity Act in 2021; and |
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WHEREAS, Mrs. Cervantes has further contributed to the |
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Huntington's disease community by publishing a book, The Invisible |
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Backpack: A Boy's Story About Huntington's, in June 2025; she was |
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inspired to write the book to help her son understand the changes he |
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was seeing in his father and to help families facing similar |
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challenges; and |
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WHEREAS, Amber Cervantes has distinguished herself as a |
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committed champion for increased understanding of Huntington's |
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disease, and together with like-minded advocates, she is helping |
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pave the way toward a future with greater hope and improved quality |
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of life for those impacted by this disease; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas |
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Legislature, 2nd Called Session, hereby honor Amber Cervantes for |
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her work to raise awareness of Huntington's disease and extend to |
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her sincere best wishes for continued success in all her endeavors; |
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and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Mrs. Cervantes as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |