TITLE: Recognizing April 30, 2015, as Hard Hats for Little Heads Day at the State Capitol.

SUMMARY: Recognizing April 30, 2015, as Hard Hats for Little Heads Day at the State Capitol.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The Texas Medical Association's Hard Hats for Little Heads program has prevented countless children across the Lone Star State from sustaining serious head injuries; and WHEREAS, Focused on its slogan "Get Moving. Stay Safe. Wear a Helmet.," this program was founded by Dr. Larry Driver in 1994 to promote bicycling safety while also motivating young people to pursue active and healthy lifestyle choices; and WHEREAS, Head injuries are the nation's leading cause of death and permanent disability in bicycle crashes, and every year, 26,000 children in the United States suffer traumatic brain damage in such incidents; less than half of youths ages 5 to 14 wear a helmet when they cycle, and many of those who do wear one do so incorrectly; wearing a properly fitted bicycle helmet can reduce the risk of head injury by as much as 85 percent; and WHEREAS, Physicians play a key role in improving health and saving lives by encouraging children to wear well-fitted protective helmets when participating in wheeled sports and recreation, such as roller-skating, skateboarding, and riding nonmotorized scooters, as well as bicycling; through the Hard Hats program, more than 1,500 doctors, medical students, and other volunteers have sponsored helmet giveaways, and during its 20th anniversary year in 2014, the initiative distributed a record number of 36,825 helmets, including its 200,000th overall; and WHEREAS, April has been designated as Child Safety Month in Texas, which provides a fitting opportunity to raise awareness about this serious issue and to recognize the outstanding efforts of all those associated with the Hard Hats for Little Heads program; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas Legislature hereby recognize April 30, 2015, as Hard Hats for Little Heads Day at the State Capitol and extend to all those associated with the program sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Dr. Driver and the staff of the program as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Sheffield Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 2148 was adopted by the House on April 30, 2015, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House