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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Family and friends were deeply saddened by the |
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passing of Ollie Garza of Fort Worth on December 1, 2022, at the age |
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of 58; and |
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WHEREAS, The son of Ollie and Marie Garza, "Babe" Garza was |
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born in Fort Worth on May 9, 1964, and he grew up with the |
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companionship of three brothers, Johnny, Rudy, and Anthony; a |
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natural born athlete, he played numerous sports throughout his |
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youth until October 19, 1978, when a tragic accident while playing |
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football for Diamond Hill-Jarvis High School left him paralyzed at |
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the age of 14; never deterred by his need for a wheelchair, he |
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graduated from high school in 1982 and went on to earn a bachelor's |
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degree from The University of Texas at Arlington in 1996; and |
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WHEREAS, Alongside a successful career in business, |
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Mr. Garza was an active member of his community; he gave generously |
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of his time to numerous organizations, including the Gridiron |
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Heroes Spinal Cord Injury Foundation, Hispanic Organization |
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Helping Others, and Toastmasters International, and he was also a |
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member of the Dallas Wheelchair Sidekicks quad-rugby team that won |
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the national championship in 1989; in addition, he authored the |
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book Why Not Me? 8 Keys to Turning Tragedy into Triumph as a |
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testament to his journey of recovery, independence, and success; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Babe Garza earned the admiration of all who knew him |
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through his strength of character and perseverance in the face of |
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life's challenges, and he will forever remain a source of |
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inspiration to those he leaves behind; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas |
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Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Ollie Garza and |
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extend sincere condolences to the members of his family: to his |
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parents, Ollie and Marie Garza; to his daughter, Alexandria |
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Vasquez; to his stepdaughter, Victoria Rios; to his brothers, |
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Johnny Garza and his wife, Stephanie, and Rudy Garza and his wife, |
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Leann; to his nieces, Amanda Perez, Samantha Xayavong and her |
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husband, Kevin, and Jasmine Garza; to his nephews, Andrew Garza, |
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Joshua Garza, Rudy Garza II, and Jorge "BJ" Perez; to his |
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grandniece, Evelyn "Evie" Xayavong; and to his other relatives and |
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friends; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of |
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Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Babe Garza. |