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| 3 | 4 | | |
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| 4 | 5 | | R E S O L U T I O N |
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| 5 | 6 | | WHEREAS, The TEAM MARIO Superheroes 5K Run for Autism and |
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| 6 | 7 | | Buddy Fun Walk are being held in Edinburg on April 11, 2015, in |
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| 7 | 8 | | observance of National Autism Awareness Month; and |
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| 8 | 9 | | WHEREAS, The fastest growing developmental disability in the |
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| 9 | 10 | | United States, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is more common than |
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| 10 | 11 | | childhood cancer, juvenile diabetes, and pediatric AIDS combined; |
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| 11 | 12 | | the incidence rate of ASD, which includes autistic, Asperger's, and |
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| 12 | 13 | | childhood disintegrative disorders, has increased from 1 in 10,000 |
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| 13 | 14 | | children 30 years ago to 1 in 68 today; though there is no cure, |
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| 14 | 15 | | research shows that early intervention and specialized therapies |
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| 15 | 16 | | can significantly improve quality of life for individuals with ASD; |
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| 16 | 17 | | and |
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| 17 | 18 | | WHEREAS, A nonprofit autism awareness organization, TEAM |
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| 18 | 19 | | MARIO takes its name from a young boy who was diagnosed with ASD |
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| 19 | 20 | | before his second birthday; inspired by the determination he has |
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| 20 | 21 | | shown in overcoming numerous challenges, his parents and therapists |
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| 21 | 22 | | founded the organization in order to give hope to other children and |
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| 22 | 23 | | families affected by ASD; TEAM MARIO advocates for the safety, |
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| 23 | 24 | | acceptance, and independence of individuals on the autism spectrum |
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| 24 | 25 | | and provides invaluable resources to help them reach their full |
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| 25 | 26 | | potential; and |
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| 26 | 27 | | WHEREAS, TEAM MARIO sponsors programs specifically for |
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| 27 | 28 | | children with ASD and for their families, while also working to |
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| 28 | 29 | | raise public awareness of the disorder through a variety of events |
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| 29 | 30 | | that the entire community can enjoy; in addition to its Superheroes |
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| 30 | 31 | | 5K Run for Autism and Buddy Fun Walk, the organization is putting on |
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| 31 | 32 | | an Autism Awareness "Piece" Out Campaign in the community and local |
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| 32 | 33 | | schools during the month of April; and |
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| 33 | 34 | | WHEREAS, The TEAM MARIO Superheroes 5K Run for Autism and |
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| 34 | 35 | | Buddy Fun Walk provide area residents with an ideal opportunity to |
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| 35 | 36 | | raise awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorder while supporting an |
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| 36 | 37 | | organization that provides invaluable support to many young Texans |
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| 37 | 38 | | and their families; now, therefore, be it |
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| 38 | 39 | | RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas |
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| 39 | 40 | | Legislature hereby commemorate the Superheroes 5K Run for Autism |
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| 40 | 41 | | and Buddy Fun Walk in Edinburg and extend sincere best wishes to the |
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| 41 | 42 | | organizers and participants for a meaningful and memorable event; |
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| 42 | 43 | | and, be it further |
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| 43 | 44 | | RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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| 44 | 45 | | prepared for TEAM MARIO as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
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| 45 | 46 | | House of Representatives. |
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