Bill Text: TX HR213 | 2017-2018 | 85th Legislature | Enrolled

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Bill Title: Recognizing Madeline Avery Smith and "Team Maddie."

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)

Status: (Passed) 2017-02-14 - Reported enrolled [HR213 Detail]

Download: Texas-2017-HR213-Enrolled.html

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H.R. No. 213

R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, In 2016, 14-year-old Madeline Smith received the
life-changing gift of an organ transplant, and her uplifting story
is encouraging others to join in spreading an important message
about organ donation; and
WHEREAS, The daughter of Trey and Jessica Smith, Madeline
Avery Smith was born on July 24, 2002, and diagnosed shortly
thereafter with Methylmalonic acidemia, a rare and incurable
metabolic disorder that inhibits the body's ability to process
certain proteins; despite the physical and developmental
challenges associated with the disorder, she was able to learn to
walk and speak, surprising her doctors who feared she would
struggle to reach basic developmental milestones; her childhood was
marked by frequent visits to the hospital, and over the years, she
began suffering from renal failure, which eventually required her
to undergo dialysis as she waited for a transplant to become
available; and
WHEREAS, Because of the selfless decision of another set of
parents, who found the courage to perform an immeasurable act of
kindness after their own personal tragedy, Madeline received a
successful double organ transplant of a liver and kidney on August
31, 2016; following the operation, her health and quality of life
have improved dramatically, and she is now able to enjoy many
activities that were previously prohibited to her; and
WHEREAS, Inspired by their daughter's journey, Trey and
Jessica Smith started "Team Maddie," a grassroots advocacy group
aimed at bringing attention to the shortage of organs available for
transplant and the thousands of patients, including children, who
need them; the couple have partnered with the distance running
community, who wear "Team Maddie" shirts in local races to
encourage people to sign up to be organ donors during the driver's
license renewal process; the Smiths have also received support for
their campaign from countless family members, friends, and
acquaintances, as well as from strangers from as far away as Italy
and Scotland; and
WHEREAS, Through the simple step of registering to be an
organ donor, everyone has the power to potentially give children
like Madeline hope for a longer, healthier life, and the Smith
family and their supporters may take pride in the important impact
that their efforts have made; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
Legislature hereby extend warmest best wishes to Madeline Smith and
her family and commend the work of Team Maddie to further the cause
of organ donation; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Madeline and her family as an expression of high regard
by the Texas House of Representatives.
Capriglione
Parker
Straus Goldman Oliverson
Allen Gonzales of Williamson Ortega
Alonzo González of El Paso Paddie
Alvarado Gooden Parker
Anchia Guerra Paul
Anderson of Dallas Guillen Perez
Anderson of McLennan Gutierrez Phelan
Arévalo Hefner Phillips
Ashby Hernandez Pickett
Bailes Herrero Price
Bell Hinojosa Raney
Bernal Holland Raymond
Biedermann Howard Reynolds
Blanco Huberty Rinaldi
Bohac Hunter Roberts
Bonnen of Brazoria Isaac Rodriguez of Bexar
Bonnen of Galveston Israel Rodriguez of Travis
Burkett Johnson of Dallas Romero, Jr.
Burns Johnson of Harris Rose
Burrows Kacal Sanford
Button Keough Schaefer
Cain King of Hemphill Schofield
Canales King of Parker Schubert
Capriglione King of Uvalde Shaheen
Clardy Klick Sheffield
Coleman Koop Shine
Collier Krause Simmons
Cook Kuempel Smithee
Cortez Lambert Springer
Cosper Landgraf Stephenson
Craddick Lang Stickland
Cyrier Larson Stucky
Dale Laubenberg Swanson
Darby Leach Thierry
Davis of Dallas Longoria Thompson of Brazoria
Davis of Harris Lozano Thompson of Harris
Dean Lucio III Tinderholt
Deshotel Martinez Turner
Dukes Metcalf Uresti
Dutton Meyer VanDeaver
Elkins Miller Villalba
Faircloth Minjarez Vo
Fallon Moody Walle
Farrar Morrison White
Flynn Muñoz, Jr. Wilson
Frank Murphy Workman
Frullo Murr Wray
Geren Neave Wu
Gervin-Hawkins Nevárez Zedler
Giddings Oliveira Zerwas
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 213 was adopted by the House on February
13, 2017, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House