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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, The passing of Stephen Robert Sandler on October 16, |
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2006, at the age of 65, brought to a close the life of a remarkable |
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man who won the admiration of individuals throughout the nation as a |
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talented writer, teacher, and political consultant; and |
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WHEREAS, Born on April 22, 1941, Steve Sandler grew up in |
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Bangor, Pennsylvania, and attended Bangor High School; after |
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graduating with a bachelor's degree in psychology from Penn State |
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University, he went on to earn a master's degree in writing from |
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Johns Hopkins University, where he later taught a graduate course |
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in media analysis and strategy; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Sandler worked in commercial advertising for |
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several years before taking a copywriting job with |
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Bailey/Deardourff, then the nation's premier political media firm; |
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from there he went on to become director of communications for the |
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National Republican Congressional Committee, where he oversaw a $14 |
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million GOP national advertising campaign and directed the |
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development of some of the most innovative political advertising of |
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the day; and |
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WHEREAS, During those years, he received the prestigious |
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"Andy" award from the Advertising Club of New York; he was also part |
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of the team that created the campaign that ultimately led to the |
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election of Ronald Reagan; and |
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WHEREAS, In 1983, this dynamic political strategist |
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partnered with Jim Innocenzi to form the highly successful |
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consulting and advertising firm of Sandler-Innocenzi; the |
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Alexandria, Virginia-based company played a prominent role in |
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crafting the media campaigns that led to the passage of tort reform |
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legislation in Texas and helped achieve deregulation of electric |
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power in 18 states; and |
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WHEREAS, Noted as much for his engaging personality and often |
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irreverent sense of humor as his keen political acumen and writing |
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skills, Mr. Sandler was recognized among his peers for his |
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exceptional ability to communicate ideas and shape public opinion |
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with a few well-chosen words and images; those same skills were |
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enormously beneficial to him in his lifelong efforts to share his |
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vast knowledge of advertising and marketing with coworkers, |
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clients, and students; and |
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WHEREAS, Deeply devoted to his wife of 27 years, Sharon, and |
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his three children, Steve Sandler lived his life to the fullest, |
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taking time to enjoy small pleasures along the way without losing |
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sight of the big picture, and endeavoring to effect change in the |
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world; his loss has left a void in the lives of those who were |
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privileged to know him, yet his achievements will resonate for |
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years to come; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the 80th Legislature of the State of Texas |
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hereby pay tribute to the life of Stephen Robert Sandler and extend |
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deepest sympathy to the members of his family: to his wife, Sharon |
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Wulf Sandler; to his children, Michael Sandler, Melissa Faye |
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Trimmer, and Jennifer Greer Sandler; to his sister, Susan Deborah
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Wachtel; to his beloved grandchildren; and to the other relatives |
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and many friends of this esteemed gentleman; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas |
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Senate and House of Representatives adjourn this day, they do so in |
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memory of Stephen Robert Sandler. |