H.R. No. 365 R E S O L U T I O N WHEREAS, Dr. Gary Schwarz has been recognized by DentaQuest as one of the organization's 2017 Health Equity Heroes; and WHEREAS, Established in 2015, the DentaQuest Health Equity Hero awards program recognizes industry leaders whose innovative efforts have helped improve health outcomes and access to care for underserved populations in their local communities; and WHEREAS, Dr. Schwarz is cofounder and former president of the Weslaco-based nonprofit organization Dentists Who Care, which serves low-income, uninsured families in the Rio Grande Valley; since its founding in 1996, the group has provided $7.5 million in free preventive dental care to more than 25,000 patients; and WHEREAS, A graduate of the Baylor University College of Dentistry, this notable Texan currently practices at Valley OMS Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, and he belongs to a number of professional organizations, including the American Dental Association, the Rio Grande Valley District Dental Society, and the American College of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons; he has further given of his time and expertise as founder and director of the Seattle Study Club of South Texas and as a member of the board of trustees for the Valley Baptist Health System; and WHEREAS, Through his commitment to offering skilled, compassionate, and accessible dental care, Dr. Gary Schwarz has benefited the lives of many South Texans, and this prestigious award is indeed a fitting acknowledgment of his outstanding record of service; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby congratulate Dr. Gary Schwarz on his selection as a 2017 DentaQuest Health Equity Hero and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Dr. Schwarz as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Guerra ______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 365 was adopted by the House on August 15, 2017, by a non-record vote. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House