H.R. No. 284
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic
Laboratory is marking its 50th anniversary on March 6, 2017; and
WHEREAS, Created by the Texas Legislature in 1967, the TVMDL
is dedicated to providing veterinary diagnostic services for both
livestock and pets, with the goal of protecting the health of
animals, the safety of the public, and the commercial interests of
livestock owners; the agency is composed of two full-service
laboratories in College Station and Amarillo, opened in 1969 and
1975 respectively, and two additional poultry laboratories in
Center and Gonzales; and
WHEREAS, The staff of the TVMDL are trained to examine and
diagnose live and deceased animals; the agency also collects
critical laboratory data necessary to identify disease and issues
appropriate warnings to individuals and government clients; and
WHEREAS, In 2004, the USDA selected the TVMDL to be part of
the National Animal Health Laboratory Network, a group of state and
regional laboratories that perform surveillance testing for
high-consequence agricultural and zoonotic pathogens; to that end,
Biosafety Level 3 laboratories have been built at both its College
Station and Amarillo locations, enabling staff to safely work with
and contain contagious animal disease agents; and
WHEREAS, In its mission to serve the diagnostic needs of
animal owners and food animal industries and to facilitate the
early detection of diseases, TVMDL is committed to developing new
diagnostic tools and incorporating state-of-the-art technology;
the agency's work is made possible by its highly skilled
professional, technical, and administrative staff, as well as by
its professional relationships with the Texas A&M University
College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Science, practicing
veterinarians, industry leaders, and the general public; and
WHEREAS, A half century after its establishment, the Texas
A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory continues to promote
animal health and to protect public safety, and in so doing, it is
making important and far-reaching contributions across the Lone
Star State and beyond; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
Legislature hereby commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Texas
A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory and extend to all
those associated with the agency 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 the TVMDL as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.
Anderson of McLennan
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 284 was adopted by the House on
February 23, 2017, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House