H.R. No. 693

	R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Traumatic brain injuries are a dangerous reality for
	many Texans, but there have been significant advances toward better
	awareness, understanding, and support over the past several years;
	and
	WHEREAS, Approximately 144,000 Texans sustain traumatic
	brain injuries annually, and about 4,000 of those die from their
	injuries; an estimated 500,000 Texans are currently living with a
	disability caused by traumatic brain injury, which remains the
	leading cause of death and disability in persons under 45 and is
	especially common among children and teenagers; and
	WHEREAS, In order to mitigate the societal impact of this
	type of trauma, the 78th Texas Legislature established the Texas
	Traumatic Brain Injury Advisory Council and charged it with
	identifying individuals with TBIs, informing state leadership of
	their needs, recommending policies to address those needs,
	encouraging research into causes and prevention, and promoting
	awareness; in the past several years, the TBIAC has accomplished
	these core responsibilities by implementing a myriad of successful
	programs across the state; and
	WHEREAS, The council, with members appointed by the executive
	commissioner of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, has
	partnered with various agencies to ensure that individuals with
	TBIs have access to adequate and high quality care; created in 2007,
	the Office of Acquired Brain Injury researched and provided several
	options to fund waivers for affected patients; the OABI and TBIAC
	have collaborated on the development of accredited online training
	courses for public health professionals, caregivers, social
	workers, survivors, law enforcement personnel, and family members
	dealing with TBIs; the OABI and the council also teamed up with the
	Texas Education Agency to create a resource on TBIs and successful
	communication and teaching skills for educators; in addition, the
	OABI works closely with the Texas State Athletic Trainers'
	Association to raise awareness of sports concussions; and
	WHEREAS, A large number of United States service members
	suffer from TBIs, especially those returning from the wars in Iraq
	and Afghanistan, and the TBIAC has worked especially hard to help
	these brave men and women manage their conditions; with the OABI and
	the Department of Veterans Affairs, the council released an
	instructional video in both English and Spanish that offers advice
	for effective communication and reviews available resources for
	veterans with TBIs; and
	WHEREAS, Traumatic brain injuries affect Texans from all
	backgrounds and of all ages, and it is fitting to take this
	opportunity to celebrate the achievements of those who have
	sustained brain injuries and to pay tribute to the many caregivers
	and professionals who support them; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
	Legislature hereby recognize March 2015 as Brain Injury Awareness
	Month and honor the work of the Texas Traumatic Brain Injury
	Advisory Council; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
	prepared for the TBIAC as an expression of high regard by the Texas
	House of Representatives.
	Naishtat
	______________________________
	Speaker of the House
	I certify that H.R. No. 693 was adopted by the House on March
	5, 2015, by a non-record vote.
	______________________________
	Chief Clerk of the House