H.R. No. 1003 R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, All Texans can take pride in the Muscular Dystrophy 1-2 Association's Goodwill Ambassador for 1995, for soon the handsome 1-3 countenance of a native son of the Lone Star State, Tomas Diaz, 1-4 will be reproduced on thousands of posters and hung in every state 1-5 in the nation; and 1-6 WHEREAS, This outstanding young man is the first resident of 1-7 Houston to be selected for this honor, and his achievement is even 1-8 more notable in light of the fact that he also is the first 1-9 Hispanic to serve in this capacity; and 1-10 WHEREAS, Born August 26, 1988, Tomas is the son of Camilo 1-11 Diaz, a native of Panama who is employed as an engineer with Brown 1-12 & Root, and Mona Diaz, an office assistant for a local physician; 1-13 the oldest of two boys in his family, Tomas has a close 1-14 relationship with his little brother, Andrew, who helps him care 1-15 for the family fish and is his enthusiastic partner in video games; 1-16 and 1-17 WHEREAS, Though he is affected by spinal muscular atrophy, 1-18 Tomas is an energetic first grade student at Spring Shadows 1-19 Elementary School in Spring Branch, where he enjoys using a 1-20 computer and attending field trips with his class; an avid sports 1-21 fan as well, he was able to meet his favorite baseball player, 1-22 Houston Astros first baseman Jeff Bagwell and the team's mascot, 1-23 Orbit, during his previous tenure as MDA's Houston Gulf Coast 1-24 Goodwill Ambassador; and 2-1 WHEREAS, Tomas is enjoying his newfound celebrity status as a 2-2 goodwill ambassador, and the happiness he obtains from this 2-3 exciting opportunity is indeed a joy to behold and only fitting for 2-4 one who has brightened the lives of so many throughout his 2-5 lifetime; and 2-6 WHEREAS, In his new role, Tomas will make public appearances 2-7 with his family throughout the country in behalf of the Muscular 2-8 Dystrophy Association and he also will be featured on the Jerry 2-9 Lewis "Stars Across America!" Labor Day Telethon and on promotional 2-10 MDA materials; at this time, it gives the members of this chamber 2-11 great pleasure to congratulate Tomas on his achievement and to 2-12 honor him for his worthy service; now, therefore, be it 2-13 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas 2-14 Legislature hereby honor Tomas Diaz on being named the Muscular 2-15 Dystrophy Association's Goodwill Ambassador for 1995 and extend to 2-16 him sincere best wishes for an exciting and memorable year; and, be 2-17 it further 2-18 RESOLVED, That official copies of this resolution be prepared 2-19 for Tomas Diaz, his parents, and the Muscular Dystrophy Association 2-20 as an expression of highest regard by the Texas House of 2-21 Representatives.