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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The untimely death of Cathy M. Coughlin of Dallas on |
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April 23, 2015, at the age of 57, brought a great loss to the family, |
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friends, and colleagues of this admired corporate and civic leader; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, The daughter of Eugene and Laura Coughlin, Cathy |
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Coughlin was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on July 2, 1957; she |
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graduated with a bachelor's degree in economics from Northwestern |
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University and later earned a master's degree in finance from |
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St. Louis University; her exemplary 35-year career with AT&T began |
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when she was hired for an entry-level manager position, and she went |
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on to excel in senior management roles in sales and operations |
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before becoming president and chief executive officer of AT&T |
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Midwest in Chicago; and |
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WHEREAS, In June 2007, Ms. Coughlin was named the global |
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marketing officer for the company; a month later, AT&T began |
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serving as the exclusive carrier for the Apple iPhone, and she |
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guided marketing, branding, and advertising efforts during this |
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transformative period in mobile technology; another of her major |
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accomplishments was the company's "Rethink Possible" brand |
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campaign in 2010; and |
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WHEREAS, Ms. Coughlin's commitment to her work was matched by |
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her determined efforts to champion worthwhile causes; her crowning |
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achievement in this regard was the "It Can Wait" campaign that she |
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launched in 2012 to discourage texting while driving; she persuaded |
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competing carriers to join in this urgent initiative as well, and |
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more than 1,500 organizations now participate in the nationwide |
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movement; she was also a powerful advocate calling for greater |
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opportunity for women in corporate leadership; and |
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WHEREAS, Widely recognized for her drive, insight, and |
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commitment to excellence, Ms. Coughlin was the recipient of |
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numerous accolades; she was named one of "50 CMOs to Watch" by |
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Global Telecoms Business, and she was recognized among the "Top 50 |
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Women in Technology" by the National Diversity Council and as one of |
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the "Top 50 Women in Brand Marketing" by Brand Innovators; and |
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WHEREAS, Cathy Coughlin was a gifted professional who cared |
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deeply about helping others, and her life was an inspiring example |
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of the good that one person can accomplish; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas |
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Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Cathy M. Coughlin |
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and extend sincere sympathy to the members of her family: to her |
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mother, Laura Coughlin; to her brothers, Kevin Coughlin, Jim |
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Coughlin, Dan Coughlin, and Mick Coughlin; to her sister, Mary |
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Coughlin Schillinger; to her 11 nieces and nephews; and to her other |
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relatives and many friends; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for her family and that when the Texas House of |
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Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Cathy |
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Coughlin. |