H.R. No. 16

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, The untimely death of Christopher Earl Ullrich Linzza of El Campo on May 20, 2013, at the age of 48, brought a great loss to his family and many friends; and

WHEREAS, Born in Atlanta, Georgia, on February 10, 1965, "Hoss" Linzza was the son of Earl and Melba Linzza; he was a member of Troop No. 1032 of the Sam Houston Area Council Boy Scouts of America and attained the rank of Eagle Scout; after graduating from J. Frank Dobie High School, he went on to attend San Jacinto College before completing his bachelor's degree in history at the University of Houston; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Linzza was a record-setting standout in track and field, throwing the hammer, shot put, and discus; in addition, he traveled around the country with his father to participate in Scottish Highland Games, combining his passions for sports and his family heritage; he particularly enjoyed tossing the caber, and he was a member of the Houston Highland Games Association; in 1985, he received the Dewar's "White Label" Award for Outstanding Achievement in Scottish Athletics; and

WHEREAS, While still a student, Mr. Linzza joined the staff of El Rancho Cima Scout Reservation, and he was employed at Horseshoe Bend and Cockrell River Camp in a variety of positions, including counselor, camp director, and program director; in addition, he served the Sam Houston Area Council as a ranger at Camp Strake and as a member of the annual Winter Camp staff; he became the district executive for the Broken Arrow District of the Boy Scouts in 1996, and three years later, he moved to El Campo, where he was senior district executive for the Brahman District; after a brief stint as program director for the Great Smoky Mountain Council in Knoxville, Tennessee, his longing to return to the Lone Star State led him to accept a position as chief professional officer for the El Campo Boys and Girls Club; and

WHEREAS, This dynamic Texan was deeply committed to his adopted hometown, where he was a member of St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church, a Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus No. 2490, and a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge 1749; he served as leading knight and club room manager, and he was named Elk of the Year; moreover, he was a James E. West Fellow of the SHAC and a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, the Sons of the Confederate Veterans, and the Rotary Club; and

WHEREAS, A devoted family man, Mr. Linzza shared a fulfilling marriage with his wife, the former Kristina Leigh Farley; he was the proud father of three children, Collin, Harrison, and Shelby, and enjoyed taking them to see historic sites; in his leisure, he liked to study genealogy and Texas history; and

WHEREAS, Chris Linzza made a positive difference in the lives of many young Texans through his professional endeavors, and although he will be deeply missed, those he left behind will forever remember him as a "gentle giant" who exemplified the highest ideals of scouting; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas Legislature, 2nd Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life of Christopher Earl Ullrich Linzza and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his wife, Kristina Farley Linzza; to his sons, Collin Ramsey Linzza and Harrison Wayne Linzza; to his daughter, Shelby Faye Linzza; to his sisters, Debbie Kennedy and Pamela Haynes and her husband, Lee; to his aunt, Myra Christoffel Cobb; to his in-laws, Eva and Ramsey Farley; and to his many other relatives and friends; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Chris Linzza.

Stephenson

______________________________ Speaker of the House

I certify that H.R. No. 16 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on July 25, 2013.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House