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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, A life defined by tremendous courage and resolve |
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drew to a close with the passing of former Lubbock firefighter |
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Matthew Dawson on November 26, 2023, at the age of 34; and |
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WHEREAS, Born in Lubbock on February 5, 1989, to Michael and |
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Cinthia Dawson, Matt Dawson grew up with the companionship of a |
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sister, Connie; he discovered his passion for helping others at an |
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early age, becoming involved in missionary work through his church; |
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he graduated from Lubbock-Cooper High School in 2007, and after |
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initially working for his father in the family business, he set his |
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sights on a career as a first responder; in 2009, he joined the |
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Woodrow Volunteer Fire Department, and he went on to earn his EMT |
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certification at South Plains College before attending the |
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Wolfforth Fire Academy in the fall of 2010; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Dawson subsequently became a member of Lubbock |
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Fire Rescue, and he found immense fulfillment in serving his |
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hometown as a member of the department; while devoting himself to |
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his duties as a firefighter, he advanced his professional |
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development by earning his paramedic certification and his fire and |
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medical teaching certification; he also served as an instructor at |
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the Wolfforth Fire Academy, where he enjoyed providing guidance and |
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support to future fire safety professionals; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Dawson demonstrated inspiring grace and |
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fortitude after he was critically injured in a roadside accident in |
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2020 that claimed the lives of two fellow first responders; the |
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unwavering determination he demonstrated during his recovery |
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enabled him to progress far beyond his doctors' and therapists' |
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expectations; and |
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WHEREAS, Along the way, Mr. Dawson became an advocate for the |
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5-5-5 Safety Initiative, which was founded by the parents of one of |
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the victims of the accident; during the 88th Texas Legislature, he |
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worked with lawmakers to secure the passage of House Bill 2468, the |
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Matt Dawson Act, which allows first responders who are injured in |
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the line of duty to receive workers' compensation benefits for |
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life; he retired from Lubbock Fire Rescue in April 2022, and he was |
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honored as an Unsung Hero of Lubbock the following June; and |
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WHEREAS, Above all, Mr. Dawson was a caring husband and |
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father; he and his wife, Chanda, shared a rewarding marriage that |
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spanned 12 years, and in 2014 they became the parents of a beloved |
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daughter, Preslee; and |
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WHEREAS, Although the passing of Matt Dawson is an |
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incalculable loss to all those who held him dear, he leaves behind a |
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record of service to his community and his profession that will be |
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remembered and admired for years to come; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas |
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Legislature, 4th Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life of |
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Matthew Dawson and extend deepest condolences to all those who |
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mourn his passing; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of |
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Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Matt |
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Dawson. |