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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Rayse Richardson, a member of the Bryan Fire |
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Department, is working to make a difference in the fight against |
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cancer as the founder of a nonprofit organization, Faithful and |
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Fearless; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Richardson has waged his own valiant battle with |
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the disease since 2006; diagnosed with oligodendroglioma, a type of |
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brain tumor, at age 21, he has since undergone several surgeries and |
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a 13-month-long course of chemotherapy in his ongoing campaign to |
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halt the growth of the cancer; he has surpassed doctors' original |
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expectations that he would survive five years and now faces a far |
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more optimistic future, looking forward to one day declaring |
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himself cancer-free; and |
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WHEREAS, While receiving care at MD Anderson, Mr. Richardson |
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was prescribed proton therapy by his doctors, but his insurance |
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provider refused to cover the treatment; this experience drove him |
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to establish Faithful and Fearless to help alleviate the financial |
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stresses that burden other cancer patients, including treatment and |
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travel expenses; and |
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WHEREAS, Throughout his ordeal, Mr. Richardson has benefited |
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greatly from the support of his parents, Reyse Richardson and |
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Tammie Avara; a firefighter and paramedic, he devoted himself to |
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his work with the City of Bowie Fire Department for nine years |
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before transferring to the Bryan Fire Department, where he has |
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proudly served for the past two years; and |
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WHEREAS, Demonstrating compassion and selflessness in the |
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midst of personal adversity, Rayse Richardson is a hero and an |
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inspiration to all who know him, and it is a pleasure to wish him |
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well as he begins a new chapter of his life as a champion for |
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patients in need; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 86th Texas |
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Legislature hereby commend Rayse Richardson for his work with |
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Faithful and Fearless and honor him for the bravery, determination, |
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and faith that he has demonstrated in his battle with cancer; and, |
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be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Mr. Richardson as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |