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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Five-year-old Charlie Dina of Houston continues to |
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touch the lives of many people with his courage and determination; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Charlie was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a form of |
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pediatric cancer, in May 2012, and he has endured 5 rounds of |
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chemotherapy, 2 surgeries, and 12 radiation therapy sessions; on |
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December 5, 2012, Charlie began receiving a stem cell transplant, |
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and after completing this treatment on Christmas Eve, he was |
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allowed to spend the holidays at home with his family; he has been |
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progressing steadily since, and his family has decided to celebrate |
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December 5 each year as Charlie's new birthday, the day when his |
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path to healing began; and |
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WHEREAS, Angela and Mike Dina, Charlie's parents, have drawn |
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on their deep faith to help guide their family through these |
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strenuous times, and Charlie is also supported by his older sister, |
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Caroline; and |
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WHEREAS, Since learning of Charlie's diagnosis and heroic |
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fight, neighbors, friends, and strangers from throughout the |
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country have mobilized in behalf of the Dinas; a support group |
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created yellow bracelets to highlight Charlie's condition, |
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decorated with the words "Charlie's Angels" and a quote from |
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scripture, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"; |
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requests for bracelets soon started pouring in, along with letters |
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of support for the family; and |
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WHEREAS, One of Charlie's biggest fans helped shine the |
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national spotlight on the family in the fall of 2012; Mr. Dina and |
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his wife, a graduate of Texas A&M University, reached out to |
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Charlie's favorite football player, Johnny Manziel, in October, |
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offering him a wristband; from that moment forward, the yellow |
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flash at the Aggie quarterback's wrist could be seen during games |
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and press conferences; he even wore the bracelet while receiving |
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his Heisman Trophy, and he shared Charlie's inspirational story |
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with the world during a televised interview at the award |
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presentation; and |
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WHEREAS, The glimmer of Charlie's indomitable spirit has |
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grown stronger as he slowly recovers, and his family is looking |
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forward to the fall, when this young boy who loves video games, |
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Legos, Star Wars, and the Aggies will enroll in kindergarten; and |
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WHEREAS, Despite the obstacles, Charlie Dina has |
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demonstrated tremendous strength beyond his years, and he is in the |
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thoughts and prayers of all who are privileged to know him; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas |
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Legislature hereby commend Charlie Dina of Houston for his bravery |
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in fighting cancer and extend to him sincere best wishes for health |
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and happiness; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Charlie Dina as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |