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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Iram Leon of Austin won the hearts of people across |
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the nation when he took first place in the Beaumont Gusher Marathon |
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on March 9, 2013, while pushing his six-year-old daughter, Kiana, |
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in a stroller; and |
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WHEREAS, Braving strong winds, errant shoelaces, and even a |
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flat stroller tire, "Jay" Leon ended the 26-mile race with a time of |
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3 hours, 7 minutes, and 35 seconds; on receiving his marathon medal, |
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he draped it around the neck of Kiana, acknowledging her as the true |
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champion; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Leon's win in this year's Gusher Marathon comes |
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more than two years after he was diagnosed with grade 2 diffuse |
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astrocytoma, an advanced form of brain cancer, shortly after his |
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30th birthday; resolving to cherish every moment, especially those |
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spent with Kiana, he began including his daughter in his favorite |
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hobby, running; and |
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WHEREAS, The father and daughter duo completed their first |
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half-marathon in the fall of 2012, with Mr. Leon taking Kiana along |
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in a stroller, and several more races have since followed; while he |
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has had to convince marathon officials to allow this somewhat |
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unconventional arrangement, he has made it a priority to have his |
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daughter share in his achievements firsthand, and for her part, |
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Kiana has taken to her role as his sidekick and number one |
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cheerleader with great relish; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Leon reports on his activities to a growing fan |
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base through his blog and social media outlets, and he has been |
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featured in multiple newspapers, magazines, online articles, and |
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television programs across the world; through it all, he has |
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remained consistent in his message, using his newfound fame to |
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remind others to let their loved ones know how much they care about |
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them; and |
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WHEREAS, Demonstrating an impassioned sense of purpose and an |
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earnest devotion to Kiana, the most precious part of his life, Jay |
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Leon continues on his journey with the heartfelt admiration of |
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countless people, who clearly recognize a winner when they see one; |
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now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas |
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Legislature hereby congratulate Jay Leon on his first-place finish |
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in the 2013 Gusher Marathon and commend him for his courage, good |
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humor, and inspiring example; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Mr. Leon as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
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House of Representatives. |