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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Michael Stephens was instrumental in the passage of |
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House Bill 2038, requiring Texas schools to establish a protocol |
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for 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. Stephens's efforts in behalf of this bill |
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included testifying before the House Committee on Public Health, |
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discussing its importance with numerous members of the legislature, |
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and attending a press conference at the Capitol shortly after the |
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bill was introduced in the house; and |
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WHEREAS, Executive director of the Texas State Athletic |
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Trainers' Association, "Spanky" Stephens began his work as a |
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trainer while a student at The University of Texas at Austin in 1967 |
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and went on to become head trainer there in 1978; he supervised |
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hundreds of athletes and worked with nine Longhorn national |
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championship teams, and he was also responsible for a strong |
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student program that sent qualified trainers to high schools and |
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colleges; he accepted his current post after retiring from UT in |
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2000; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Stephens has further distinguished himself as a |
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legislative representative for the Southwest Athletic Trainers' |
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Association, as a longtime member of the Texas Advisory Board of |
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Athletic Trainers, and as the recipient of many awards and honors, |
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including induction into the All-American Football Foundation Hall |
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of Honor and the SWATA Hall of Fame; and |
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WHEREAS, Deeply concerned about the health and well-being of |
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student-athletes, Spanky Stephens benefited 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. Stephens's role in achieving |
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this 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 Michael "Spanky" Stephens for his efforts |
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to 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. Stephens as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |
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Price |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 2782 was adopted by the House on May |
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30, 2011, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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