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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Phil Taylor of Frisco has turned his artistic talent |
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to a patriotic purpose through the American Fallen Soldiers |
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Project; and |
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WHEREAS, Founded by Mr. Taylor and his wife, Lisa, this |
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nonprofit organization presents families with portraits of their |
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loved ones who have died in service to our country; the artist |
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volunteers his labor and materials are paid for by the |
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organization, which has given portraits to more than two dozen |
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families; and |
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WHEREAS, The project grew out of a tragedy that touched the |
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Taylor family in 2007; a friend of their youngest daughter was |
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killed in a motorcycle accident shortly before his high school |
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graduation, and Mr. Taylor decided to paint a portrait of the young |
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man for his parents; their heartfelt gratitude inspired him to |
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offer solace to a friend whose brother had been killed in Iraq by |
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painting a portrait of the brave captain; and |
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WHEREAS, Recognizing that there are many families grieving |
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the loss of service members, Mr. and Mrs. Taylor established the |
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Texas Fallen Soldiers Project; eventually, word of the program |
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spread, and they began receiving requests for portraits from around |
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the country; they changed the name of the organization to reflect |
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its wider reach and are building their staff and raising funds |
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through such events as a golf tournament and honors banquet; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Taylor apprenticed under noted visual artist |
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Brad Smith and has painted numerous commissioned portraits; by |
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sharing his gifts with Gold Star families, he has not only provided |
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consolation but also created lasting memorials to honor the lives |
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of those who made the ultimate sacrifice; the American Fallen |
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Soldiers Project is an inspirational expression of respect and |
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profound appreciation for our military heroes and their families; |
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now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas |
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Legislature hereby honor Phil Taylor for his contributions and |
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commend all those associated with the American Fallen Soldiers |
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Project for their patriotism and compassion; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for the American Fallen Soldiers Project as an expression |
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of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. |