Senate Resolution Recognizing TSPP

On May 18, 2005 the Texas Senate passed a Resolution recognizing the Texas Society of Psychiatric Physicians’ leadership in advocacy for psychiatric patients, supporting quality psychiatric care, and encouraging the formation of the Federation of Texas Psychiatry. The Resolution was offered by Senator Kip Averitt of Waco. Receiving the Resolution on the floor of the Senate were John Bush, Executive Director, Gary Etter, MD, TSPP President of Fort Worth, and Clay Sawyer, MD, TSPP Immediate Past President from Waco (pictured left to right).  Following is the Resolution.

TEXAS SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Texas Society of Psychiatric Physicians has been the professional organization in Texas representing psychiatry since 1956 and will celebrate its 50th Anniversary in 2006; and

WHEREAS, The Texas Society of Psychiatric Physicians is recognized for its role in defining quality psychiatric care for patients in Texas in all practice settings, including both the private and public sectors; and

WHEREAS, The Texas Society of Psychiatric Physicians has encouraged and supported the active involvement of patient and mental health advocacy organizations in the public policy arena through the establishment and nurturing of the Mental Illness Awareness Coalition; and

WHEREAS, The Texas Society of Psychiatric Physicians has taken a leadership role in educating policymakers and the general public about mental illnesses and psychiatric treatments; and

WHEREAS, The Texas Society of Psychiatric Physicians has been since 1986 the first and only medical specialty society in Texas accredited for continuing medical education by the Texas Medical Association; and

WHEREAS, The Texas Society of Psychiatric Physicians is recognized for its leadership role in providing quality continuing medical education for its members and other physicians in Texas; and

WHEREAS, The Texas Society of Psychiatric Physicians has consistently advocated for the interests of patients and the eradication of discrimination and stigma against persons with psychiatric illnesses; and

WHEREAS, The Texas Society of Psychiatric Physicians has had a long and effective participation in the legislative process and been proactive in advancing quality medical and psychiatric care for the citizens of Texas based on the latest advances in science; and

WHEREAS, The Texas Society of Psychiatric Physicians helped in the establishment of the Legislative Mental Health Awareness Group, a group of legislators with an interest in better understanding mental illness and its treatment; and

WHEREAS, The Texas Society of Psychiatric Physicians is recognized for its role in encouraging the establishment of the Federation of Texas Psychiatry, an umbrella organization that will bring together medical organizations in Texas representing some 50,000 physicians to form a united voice advocating for patients and quality psychiatric care; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, the Senate of the State of Texas, 79th Legislature, commends the Texas Society of Psychiatric Physicians for bringing together many diverse groups of physicians, patients and mental health advocacy organizations in the service of the mental health of Texans of all walks of life; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in honor of the Texas Society of Psychiatric Physicians’ 50 years of service to Texas and as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate.