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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Dennis Hart was instrumental in the passage of House |
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Bill 2038, requiring Texas schools to establish a protocol for |
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dealing with student-athletes suspected to have sustained a |
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concussion; and |
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WHEREAS, The legislation, which was authored by State |
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Representative Four Price, has been named "Natasha's Law" in honor |
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of Natasha Helmick, whose soccer career ended after she suffered |
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five concussions in four years; involved in the sport since age |
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four, she earned a scholarship to play for Texas State University, |
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but a medical evaluation changed the course of her path; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Hart's efforts in behalf of this bill included |
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testifying before the House Committee on Public Health, discussing |
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its importance with numerous members of the legislature and |
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attending a press conference at the Capitol shortly after the bill |
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was introduced in the house; and |
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WHEREAS, A longtime athletic trainer, Mr. Hart began his |
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career in 1970 and worked at North Mesquite High School from 1973 |
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until his retirement in 2006; he went on to become the director for |
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clinical and outreach services for the Sports Medicine Clinic of |
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North Texas in Dallas and also returned to athletic training |
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part-time at a middle school in Mesquite; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Hart has served as president of the Southwest |
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Athletic Trainers' Association and as chair of the founding |
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committee of the Texas State Athletic Trainers' Association; he has |
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received many recognitions at the district, state, and national |
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levels, including the Most Distinguished and Frank Medina awards |
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from SWATA in 1999 and 2001, respectively; and |
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WHEREAS, Deeply concerned about the health and well-being of |
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student-athletes, Dennis Hart contributed to his fellow citizens |
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with his outstanding advocacy for Natasha's Law, and Representative |
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Price expresses his gratitude for Mr. Hart's role in achieving this |
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notable legislative victory; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas |
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Legislature hereby honor Dennis Hart for his successful efforts to |
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heighten awareness of the dangers associated with concussion |
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sustained by student-athletes and extend to him sincere best wishes |
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for the future; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Mr. Hart as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
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House of Representatives. |