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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The untimely passing of former Olympic track athlete |
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Eric Thomas of Houston on December 30, 2022, at the age of 49, |
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brought a heartbreaking loss to his family, friends, and |
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colleagues; and |
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WHEREAS, Eric Thomas was born on December 1, 1973, in |
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Garrison and grew up with the company of five siblings; following |
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his father's death, his mother raised the children on her own, and |
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she instilled in Eric a work ethic that would come to define his |
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life; a standout athlete at Garrison High School, he was awarded |
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track and football scholarships from Blinn College; his exceptional |
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ability as a hurdler became evident as a freshman, and the next |
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year, he set a National Junior College Athletic Association track |
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record in the 400-meter hurdles; he went on to earn All-American |
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track honors at Abilene Christian University; and |
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WHEREAS, One of the top-ranked 400-meter hurdlers in the |
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world from 1993 through 2003, Mr. Thomas was a U.S. champion, and he |
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claimed a top-15 finish at the 2000 Summer Olympic Games in Sydney, |
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Australia; moreover, he collected two silver medals at the Pan |
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American Games; and |
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WHEREAS, Following his retirement from track competition, |
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Mr. Thomas remained actively involved in the sport, founding |
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Houston-based Champion Trainers in 2005 and conducting sports camps |
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in Garrison; dedicated to improving the health and fitness of Texas |
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youth, he established the Eric Thomas Foundation, which provides |
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scholarships and support to individuals in underserved |
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communities; he further distinguished himself by creating the |
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Hurdling Over Obesity and Diabetes program; his generosity and |
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civic engagement were widely appreciated, and he was beloved by |
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numerous people in Texans and around the globe; and |
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WHEREAS, A humble hometown hero who gained international |
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acclaim, Eric Thomas inspired countless track fans and competitors, |
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and his many achievements will continue to be remembered and |
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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 hereby pay tribute to the memory of Eric Thomas and |
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extend deepest condolences to all who mourn his passing; and, be it |
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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 Eric |
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Thomas. |