H.R. No. 1995
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Texas
Tech University Health Sciences Center at Amarillo has played an
integral role in the global campaign to advance understanding of
the disease, to develop lifesaving treatments and therapies, and to
provide essential medical care and vaccination services to the
Amarillo community; and
WHEREAS, In April 2020, TTUHSC was selected to be part of a
U.S. government-sponsored, FDA-approved study conducted by Mayo
Clinic to evaluate the use of convalescent plasma in treating
patients with severe COVID-19; working in partnership with other
institutions, the health sciences center swiftly mobilized to
implement the project, and its participation provided patients in
Amarillo with a treatment option that was difficult to attain at the
time; and
WHEREAS, Continuing to investigate the viability of new
methods of treating COVID-19, TTUHSC entered into an agreement with
Amarillo's PharmaTex Research to assist in a clinical trial of
Regeneron's novel antiviral antibody cocktail in late summer of
2020; at the time, the health sciences center was one of only 150
sites internationally and the only location in West Texas with
access to the medications; and
WHEREAS, In addition to facilitating studies and clinical
trials, TTUHSC has helped increase Texas' testing capacity by
producing viral transport media, a critical component of COVID-19
tests; at its peak, the health sciences center was generating
between 15,000 and 20,000 vials of VTM per week, for a total of more
than 450,000 vials, and the university went on to be recognized for
its production of VTM in The Governor's Report to Open Texas
publication issued by Governor Greg Abbott; the VTM project was led
by a team from the TTUHSC Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy and the
School of Medicine, and the schools shared information about their
effective methods with other universities and laboratories across
the state; and
WHEREAS, Another important initiative carried out by TTUHSC
was the establishment of the Amarillo Center for Excellence for
COVID-19 Research & Pandemics, which encompasses a range of efforts
that are focused on the goal of predicting and preparing for future
pandemics; special thanks is also owed to the many TTUHSC medical
and pharmaceutical faculty members who have been on the front lines
providing high-quality care to patients in area medical centers; in
addition, the health sciences center has administered a total of
more than 11,000 COVID-19 vaccinations on the Amarillo campus; and
WHEREAS, The faculty, research staff, students, support
staff, and administration of the Texas Tech University Health
Sciences Center at Amarillo have lent their time, expertise, and
resources to expedite critical research and treatment in the
world's battle against COVID-19, and they are deserving of our
lasting gratitude for their tireless dedication to this endeavor;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas
Legislature hereby commend the faculty, research staff, students,
support staff, and administration of the Texas Tech University
Health Sciences Center at Amarillo for their exceptional
contributions in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and extend to
all those associated with the effort sincere best wishes for
continued success in their important work; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the health sciences center as an expression of high
regard by the Texas House of Representatives.
Price
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1995 was adopted by the House on May
31, 2021, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House