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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The city of Boerne experienced a profound loss with |
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the passing of Sam V. Champion on January 8, 2007, at the age of 52; |
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while the absence of this beloved educator brings an undeniable |
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sense of sadness, memories of his valiant spirit and worthwhile |
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accomplishments continue to inspire, providing a meaningful |
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example of how one person can better a community through hard work, |
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positive thinking, and an enduring concern for the well-being of |
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others; and |
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WHEREAS, Born and raised in Boerne, Sam Champion played |
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fullback for the Greyhound football team at Boerne High and was a |
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member of the 1972 graduating class; he went on to earn a bachelor's |
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degree from Southwest Texas State University and a master's degree |
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from Our Lady of the Lake University; and |
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WHEREAS, After teaching in San Antonio and Hobbs, New Mexico, |
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Mr. Champion returned to his Hill Country hometown in 1982; he began |
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as a science instructor and sports coach at Boerne Middle School and |
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later became an administrator, serving as assistant principal for |
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both the middle and high schools before being appointed principal |
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of Boerne High in 1987; and |
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WHEREAS, In all his assignments, this innovative |
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professional used his enthusiasm to engage students and staff |
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members; as principal, he maintained a very visible presence at the |
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high school, informally visiting with young people in the hallways, |
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learning their names and faces, and encouraging them to do well in |
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their studies; his humor and athleticism were also put to use, and |
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Principal Champion became famous for performing gymnastic |
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handsprings during pep rallies and marking the start of each spring |
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break by lounging on a self-made sand "beach" in the school parking |
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lot; and |
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WHEREAS, While he enjoyed the fun, Sam Champion never lost |
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sight of his job's serious purpose: educating and shaping Boerne's |
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young people in preparation for adulthood; he often focused on |
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positive support, encouraging each of his students with |
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personalized, handwritten notes and providing struggling pupils |
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with the special assistance they needed to improve their grades; in |
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2002, Mr. Champion got the opportunity to spend more time with |
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at-risk students when he moved to a new position as the school |
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district's director of student services; among his accomplishments |
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in that post was the creation of Students Achieving Maximum |
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Success, better known as the "SAM'S Kids" program, which helps |
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young people overcome economic and social obstacles to achieve |
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academic success; and |
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WHEREAS, Students weren't the only ones to benefit from Sam |
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Champion's compassionate nature; he extended the same care to |
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friends and acquaintances, and his ability to reach out to others |
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was treasured by all who met him; his warm and welcoming disposition |
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was infectious, and Boerne residents returned the favor by |
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supporting Mr. Champion in the final years of his life; hundreds of |
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students lined the street when he departed for medical treatments, |
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and residents overwhelmingly backed the idea to grace the new |
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Boerne high school with Sam Champion's name; and |
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WHEREAS, An upbeat and energetic presence, Principal |
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Champion often greeted students and staff members with his favorite |
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morning phrase: "today is the day to do your best"; it was advice |
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that he followed himself, and throughout his 24 years of service in |
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the Boerne schools, Sam Champion built a legacy of personal |
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improvement that greatly influenced the thousands of individuals, |
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both students and teachers, who were fortunate enough to experience |
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his passionate brand of educational leadership; now, therefore, be |
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it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 80th Texas |
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Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Sam V. Champion and |
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extend deepest condolences to the members of his family: to his |
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wife, Caroline; to his daughter, Kelsey; to his brothers, Clyde |
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Crain, Steve Champion, and John Champion; to his sister, Sue Adams; |
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and to his other relatives and many friends; 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 Sam |
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Champion. |