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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, William F. Taylor III was instrumental in the |
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passage of House Bill 2038, requiring Texas schools to establish a |
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protocol for dealing with student-athletes suspected to have |
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sustained a 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. Taylor'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, Head athletic trainer at Mesquite High School for 36 |
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years, "Bucky" Taylor also served as the trainer at the Mesquite |
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Independent School District's Special Olympics local meets; his |
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research into concussions and the development of Mesquite's |
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return-to-play policy for athletes were featured on Dan Rather |
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Reports in 2010; he now works as an itinerant trainer in Mesquite |
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ISD and as a consultant to the Sports Medicine Clinic of North Texas |
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in Dallas; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Taylor served as president of the Southwest |
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Athletic Trainers' Association in 2002 and 2003 and was on the |
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founding committee of the North Texas Athletic Trainer Society; the |
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recipient of many awards and honors and a member of the SWATA Hall |
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of Fame, he has shared his time and talents with the University |
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Interscholastic League's advisory council, Internet task force, |
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and communications committee; and |
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WHEREAS, Deeply concerned about the health and well-being of |
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student-athletes, Bucky Taylor 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. Taylor'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 William F. "Bucky" Taylor for his |
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successful efforts to heighten awareness of the dangers associated |
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with concussion sustained by student-athletes and extend to him |
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sincere best wishes 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. Taylor as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
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House of Representatives. |