Florida Senate - 2011 (NP) SR 2030 By Senator Gaetz 4-01695-11 20112030__ 1 Senate Resolution 2 A resolution recognizing the invaluable contribution 3 of Florida ophthalmologists to the EyeCare America 4 program and expressing gratitude for their exemplary 5 service to the people of this state. 6 7 WHEREAS, by age 65, one in three Americans suffers some 8 form of vision-limiting eye disease, and 9 WHEREAS, EyeCare America is a charitable foundation of the 10 American Academy of Ophthalmology committed to the preservation 11 of sight, with nearly 7,000 volunteer ophthalmologists providing 12 service to their respective communities, and 13 WHEREAS, in this state, 409 ophthalmologists volunteer 14 their services to more than 34,200 EyeCare America patients, 15 providing voluntary eye exams and up to 1 year of care to 16 qualified United States citizens and legal residents at no cost, 17 and 18 WHEREAS, through EyeCare America, those who are age 65 or 19 older and have not seen an ophthalmologist in 3 or more years 20 may be eligible to receive a comprehensive eye examination and 21 up to 1 year of care, while uninsured individuals who are 22 determined to be at an increased risk for glaucoma and who have 23 not had an eye examination in 12 months or more may be eligible 24 for a free glaucoma exam, and 25 WHEREAS, the Florida Society of Ophthalmology seeks to 26 improve services to Florida citizens and legal residents unable 27 to afford proper and necessary eye care, with many of its 28 members participating in EyeCare America, and 29 WHEREAS, the Florida Senate recognizes the critical 30 importance of devoting time and medical care for those Florida 31 citizens and legal residents in need of eye care, NOW, 32 THEREFORE, 33 34 Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida: 35 36 That the Senate does hereby recognize Florida 37 ophthalmologists and the Florida Society of Ophthalmology for 38 their dedication to EyeCare America and patients in need of eye 39 care. 40 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this resolution, 41 signed by the President of the Senate, with the Seal of the 42 Senate affixed, be transmitted to EyeCare America and the 43 Florida Society of Ophthalmology, respectively, as a tangible 44 token of the sentiments expressed herein and as a lasting symbol 45 of the respect of the members of the Senate of the State of 46 Florida.