TITLE: Recognizing Madeline Avery Smith and "Team Maddie."

SUMMARY: Recognizing Madeline Avery Smith and "Team Maddie."

FULL TEXT:
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 Gonz lez of El Paso Paddie Alvarado Gooden Parker Anchia Guerra Paul Anderson of Dallas Guillen Perez Anderson of McLennan Gutierrez Phelan Ar valo 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 Mu oz, Jr. Wilson Frank Murphy Workman Frullo Murr Wray Geren Neave Wu Gervin-Hawkins Nev rez 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