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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, April Lopez of McAllen demonstrated remarkable |
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decisiveness and composure on February 17, 2015, when she came to |
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the aid of a man experiencing a medical emergency; and |
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WHEREAS, A board certified nurse practitioner, Ms. Lopez has |
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spent 17 years as a registered nurse in both emergency rooms and |
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private practice; she currently works at Lopez Family Clinic in |
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McAllen, and she also teaches at her alma mater, The University of |
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Texas--Pan American; and |
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WHEREAS, Ms. Lopez was aboard a flight bound for McAllen from |
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Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, and shortly after |
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takeoff, the captain began calling for a bystander with medical |
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experience to help assist a male passenger who was sweating and in |
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obvious physical distress; Ms. Lopez responded immediately, and |
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the man informed her that he had cirrhosis, a condition that can be |
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life-threatening in advanced stages; and |
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WHEREAS, With his condition worsening rapidly, Ms. Lopez |
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requested that the plane be landed and enlisted the help of two |
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other passengers to move him to a seat where she could begin |
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rendering aid; she injected him with intravenous fluids and readied |
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the plane's defibrillator to ensure that the man did not suffer |
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cardiac arrest; throughout this harrowing ordeal, Ms. Lopez |
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reassured him with her steady manner and the confidence that she had |
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developed during her career; the plane eventually touched down in |
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Austin, where emergency crews were waiting to rush the man to the |
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hospital for treatment; and |
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WHEREAS, By taking charge of a desperate situation, April |
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Lopez distinguished herself as a caring citizen and a professional |
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of outstanding skill and commitment, and her actions on that day are |
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indeed deserving of special recognition; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas |
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Legislature hereby commend April Lopez for her heroism in providing |
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lifesaving assistance to a fellow traveler in need and extend to her |
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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 Ms. Lopez as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
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House of Representatives. |