SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 307

WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to recognize Mid Rio Grande Border Area Health Education Center in Laredo and to join in celebrating March 24 through 30, 2025, as National Area Health Education Center Week; and

WHEREAS, The Area Health Education Center program was created by the United States Congress in 1971 with the goal to recruit, train, and retain a health professions workforce committed to underserved and rural populations by partnering with academic institutions, local health care providers, and community-based organizations to provide education and clinical training; and

WHEREAS, The Mid Rio Grande Border Area Health Education Center, which was established in 1993, is a nonprofit corporation and has served more than 600,622 individuals in Dimmit, Duval, Jim Hogg, LaSalle, Starr, Webb, Willacy, and Zapata Counties with a wide range of programs; and

WHEREAS, More than 160 alumni of the center are currently practicing as health care providers; more than 90 percent of program participants reported pursuing a higher education, and more than 94 percent reported that the center influenced their choice of career in the health care field; and

WHEREAS, The center provides accredited continuing education conferences for practicing professionals, pipeline programs for students of all ages to spark an interest in health careers, and information to improve the health status and quality of life for residents in the region; and

WHEREAS, For over three decades, the Mid Rio Grande Border Area Health Education Center in Laredo has played a vital role in the provision of quality health education in South Texas, and it is truly fitting that this esteemed organization and similar centers nationwide receive special recognition for strengthening the health professions workforce and improving access to quality care; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 89th Legislature, hereby commend all who contribute to Mid Rio Grande Border Area Health Education Center on their invaluable efforts to improve health care in Texas and in underserved regions across the country and extend to all best wishes for a successful National Area Health Education Center Week; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for the center as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate.

Zaffirini

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on March 25, 2025.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate