| 1 | 1 | | 89R25716 HMR-D |
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| 2 | 2 | | By: Raymond H.R. No. 956 |
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| 6 | 6 | | |
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| 7 | 7 | | R E S O L U T I O N |
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| 8 | 8 | | WHEREAS, Smiles from Heaven and Fight Like a Kid are making a |
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| 9 | 9 | | positive difference in the lives of children who are battling |
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| 10 | 10 | | cancer; and |
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| 11 | 11 | | WHEREAS, Ray and Betsy Sanchez established Smiles from Heaven |
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| 12 | 12 | | in loving memory of their two-year-old daughter, Bella Serena |
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| 13 | 13 | | Sanchez, who passed away on April 9, 2019, following her fight with |
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| 14 | 14 | | leukemia; the organization is dedicated to promoting childhood |
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| 15 | 15 | | cancer awareness and to giving support, assistance, and hope to |
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| 16 | 16 | | children and families receiving treatment for pediatric cancer or |
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| 17 | 17 | | blood disorders; and |
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| 18 | 18 | | WHEREAS, In partnership with Smiles from Heaven, the Fight |
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| 19 | 19 | | Like a Kid coalition assists children and families battling cancer |
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| 20 | 20 | | and blood disorders by offering them access to programs and support |
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| 21 | 21 | | that help them flourish beyond the challenges of cancer; and |
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| 22 | 22 | | WHEREAS, Cancer is the leading cause of disease-related death |
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| 23 | 23 | | for children past infancy in the United States; each year, |
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| 24 | 24 | | approximately 413,000 children around the world receive the |
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| 25 | 25 | | devastating news that they have cancer, but thanks to improvements |
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| 26 | 26 | | in treatment, 85 percent of patients with pediatric cancer in the |
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| 27 | 27 | | U.S. will go on to survive for five years or more; and |
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| 28 | 28 | | WHEREAS, Each September, Smiles from Heaven observes |
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| 29 | 29 | | Childhood Cancer Awareness Month with events that spotlight |
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| 30 | 30 | | children and families affected by the disease; these include the |
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| 31 | 31 | | organization's annual superhero-themed run/walk events in Laredo |
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| 32 | 32 | | and Corpus Christi, as well as spirit week fundraisers and Gold Out |
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| 33 | 33 | | Nights hosted in collaboration with local high schools; and |
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| 34 | 34 | | WHEREAS, Smiles from Heaven and Fight Like a Kid have been |
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| 35 | 35 | | sources of compassionate guidance to families going through a |
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| 36 | 36 | | difficult and uncertain journey, and it is a pleasure to recognize |
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| 37 | 37 | | these commendable organizations and the inspiring work they have |
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| 38 | 38 | | accomplished; now, therefore, be it |
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| 39 | 39 | | RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas |
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| 40 | 40 | | Legislature hereby honor Smiles from Heaven and Fight Like a Kid for |
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| 41 | 41 | | their service to and advocacy in behalf of children living with |
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| 42 | 42 | | cancer and extend to all those affiliated with the organizations |
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| 43 | 43 | | sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further |
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| 44 | 44 | | RESOLVED, That official copies of this resolution be prepared |
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| 45 | 45 | | for the organizations as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
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| 46 | 46 | | House of Representatives. |
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