S.R. No. 505
1-1 SENATE RESOLUTION
1-2 In Memory
1-3 of
1-4 Brent Thurman
1-5 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins the citizens
1-6 of Dripping Springs, Austin, the State of Texas, and the nation in
1-7 mourning the tragic loss of champion bull rider Brent Thurman, who
1-8 passed away December 17, 1994, at the age of 25; and
1-9 WHEREAS, A direct descendant of Charles Goodnight, the
1-10 pioneer Texas cowboy-rancher who helped tame Texas and blazed the
1-11 famous Goodnight-Loving Trail, Brent exhibited to people throughout
1-12 the world all the virtues of a great Texan and a great American--
1-13 hard work, devotion to his family and friends, and devotion to God;
1-14 and
1-15 WHEREAS, Just as his ancestor Charles Goodnight followed his
1-16 dream to master millions of Texas Panhandle acres and countless
1-17 longhorn cattle, Brent Thurman was determined to be the world's top
1-18 bull rider; and
1-19 WHEREAS, A member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys
1-20 Association since 1988, he was nearing the peak of his profession;
1-21 one of only 15 bull riders to qualify for the prestigious National
1-22 Finals Rodeo held annually by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys
1-23 Association in Las Vegas, Nevada, Brent finished sixth among 1993
2-1 bull riding winners; and
2-2 WHEREAS, Brent performed before three million fans throughout
2-3 the United States, Canada, and South America in 1994 and made his
2-4 second consecutive trip to the finals; and
2-5 WHEREAS, Undaunted by the dangers of his profession, he put
2-6 his faith in God and considered himself blessed to earn his living
2-7 in a way he greatly enjoyed; and
2-8 WHEREAS, Throughout his life, he made friends with the people
2-9 he met; then the friends turned into family; Brent Thurman's family
2-10 members eventually encompassed the world; and
2-11 WHEREAS, Blessed with a friendly disposition and an outgoing
2-12 personality, Brent was always there for anyone who needed him; and
2-13 WHEREAS, Because he had such an extraordinary ability to
2-14 create friends and family from among those he encountered, his
2-15 family members are too numerous to count; and
2-16 WHEREAS, Brent was so admired and well loved that there was
2-17 a spontaneous and heartfelt national outpouring of compassion for
2-18 his family and friends; and
2-19 WHEREAS, The people of Las Vegas, Nevada, extended
2-20 extraordinary aid and care to Brent and his fellow Texans during
2-21 the darkest hours, going so far as to carry him and his family
2-22 safely home to Texas; and
2-23 WHEREAS, Rodeo fans and professional cowboys from all over
2-24 the world traveled to Austin to pay their respects; when the call
2-25 went out for assistance to house those attending the ceremony,
3-1 hundreds of Austinites volunteered to take the guests into their
3-2 homes; and
3-3 WHEREAS, Such devotion among fellow contestants and countless
3-4 fans was a tribute to the worldwide popularity of Brent Thurman who
3-5 was so young and yet so highly respected and loved by his fans; and
3-6 WHEREAS, Brent Thurman will ride on in the hearts and memories
3-7 of the many people whose lives he touched; now, therefore, be it
3-8 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
3-9 74th Legislature, hereby pay tribute to and celebrate the life of
3-10 Brent Thurman and express sincere appreciation to the members of his
3-11 family for sharing him with us: his mother, Kay Goodnight Thurman;
3-12 his father, Will Thurman, Jr.; his brother, Brock Thurman; his
3-13 sister, Liz Wright; and the entire Goodnight and Thurman families;
3-14 and, be it further
3-15 RESOLVED, That the Texas Senate express its gratitude to the
3-16 people of Las Vegas, Nevada, for taking care of our fellow Texans
3-17 when they most needed it; and, be it further
3-18 RESOLVED, That the Lieutenant Governor, on behalf of the
3-19 Texas Senate, inform the Mayor of Las Vegas of the passage of this
3-20 Resolution; and, be it further
3-21 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for the
3-22 family of Brent Thurman as an expression of deepest sympathy from
3-23 the Texas Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do
3-24 so in his memory.
3-25 Barrientos
4-1 Armbrister Leedom Rosson
4-2 Bivins Lucio Shapiro
4-3 Brown Luna Sibley
4-4 Cain Madla Sims
4-5 Ellis Moncrief Truan
4-6 Gallegos Montford Turner
4-7 Galloway Nelson Wentworth
4-8 Harris Nixon West
4-9 Haywood Patterson Whitmire
4-10 Henderson Ratliff Zaffirini
4-11 Bullock, President of the Senate
4-12 ______________________________________
4-13 President of the Senate
4-14 I hereby certify that the above
4-15 Resolution was adopted by the Senate
4-16 on March 23, 1995, by a rising vote.
4-17 ______________________________________
4-18 Secretary of the Senate
4-19 ______________________________________
4-20 Member, Texas Senate