By Carter H.R. No. 151 74R5440 PAN-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, Eleven-year-old Zachary Gardner is a special young 1-2 man who has touched the lives of countless children with his 1-3 earnest concern for others and a generosity of spirit that is 1-4 seldom seen in one so young; and 1-5 WHEREAS, For nearly two years, Zachary has used his allowance 1-6 to purchase toys and clothing for children being treated at John 1-7 Peter Smith Hospital in Tarrant County; his interest in the idea 1-8 was initially sparked when his beloved grandmother, Betty Smith, 1-9 was admitted to the hospital after a fall; and 1-10 WHEREAS, While she was being treated, Zachary felt frightened 1-11 as he sat in the emergency room and began to imagine what the 1-12 experience must be like for other children; deciding that the 1-13 situation could be improved by having a source of comfort to cling 1-14 to, he asked his mother, Ruth Gardner, if he could bring some of 1-15 his own stuffed animals to the hospital for other children; and 1-16 WHEREAS, Touched but not surprised by the depth of his 1-17 compassion, Mrs. Gardner encouraged her son and accompanied him to 1-18 the hospital to donate the articles; while they were there, Zachary 1-19 learned of a newborn baby girl who had been born at the hospital on 1-20 drugs and whose mother was not visiting her; and 1-21 WHEREAS, When Zachary found out that the infant was being 1-22 dressed in paper clothing, he went shopping with his mother for 1-23 baby clothes, and by the time the baby went home with her new 1-24 adopted family, she was wearing an outfit that had been bought for 2-1 her by Zachary; and 2-2 WHEREAS, Since that time, Zachary has made repeated return 2-3 trips to the hospital, and the many toys he has donated have been 2-4 put to good use in the hospital's emergency room and evidence 2-5 collection room comforting frightened children; and 2-6 WHEREAS, Zachary learned the importance of giving to others 2-7 from his mother and began "his ministry" at an early age, buying 2-8 gifts for underprivileged children each Christmas, despite his own 2-9 family's financial constraints; through the years, he also has 2-10 mobilized others to help through his church, the Christian Temple 2-11 in North Richland Hills; and 2-12 WHEREAS, Zachary Gardner is a source of great pride to his 2-13 close-knit family, which includes his mother, his grandmother, and 2-14 his uncle, Albert Smith, as well as to the members of his 2-15 community; though Zachary has expressed an interest in possibly 2-16 becoming a heart specialist one day, many who have heard of his 2-17 deeds undoubtedly already consider him to be one; now, therefore, 2-18 be it 2-19 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas 2-20 Legislature hereby commend Zachary Gardner for his significant 2-21 contributions to John Peter Smith Hospital and extend to him 2-22 sincere best wishes for much happiness and good fortune in the 2-23 years to come; and, be it further 2-24 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-25 prepared for Zachary Gardner as an expression of highest regard by 2-26 the Texas House of Representatives.