SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 418

In Memory

of

Kirk D. Myers-Hill

WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and commemorates the life of Kirk D. Myers-Hill, who died on April 4, 2023, at the age of 54; and

WHEREAS, Kirk Myers-Hill was born on June 25, 1968; he was the chief executive officer and founder of Abounding Prosperity, Incorporated, a nonprofit organization in Dallas that is dedicated to addressing health, social, and economic disparities among Black Americans, with a particular emphasis on LGBTQ individuals and their families; and

WHEREAS, Kirk was a visionary and an activist who dedicated his life to serving vulnerable groups who face discrimination with respect to medical services and in society at large and to fighting for the rights of people suffering from HIV and AIDS; he concentrated his energies on the right to health care and on mobilization efforts to increase equity and access to services for ethnic minority groups that are disproportionately affected by HIV and AIDS; and

WHEREAS, For more than 20 years, Kirk fought to influence HIV and AIDS policy, championing increased access to biomedical interventions, treatment as prevention, and research on behalf of Black communities; and

WHEREAS, Expanding his mission to encompass direct medical and social services, in 2005, Kirk founded Abounding Prosperity, an HIV testing, counseling, and referral agency; the organization now offers a comprehensive range of services, including HIV primary care, transgender health care, substance abuse counseling, mental health counseling, supportive housing, financial assistance, tele-wellness, and research and recreational centers; and

WHEREAS, Kirk established an ethos of education, prevention, and treatment and served with the State of Texas Community Planning Group, chairing the Interventions Committee; he also served on the City of Dallas Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Task Force and represented his community as a founding member of the Dallas Chapter of the Texas Black Gay Network; and

WHEREAS, A pillar of support and treasured member of his community, Kirk was a passionate, selfless man whose courage, warmth, and commitment to equitable health services has inspired his colleagues, friends, and fellow citizens; Kirk's labors and activism touched the lives of countless people, and he will be long remembered by his many loved ones and by all who were privileged to share in his life; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved family of Kirk D. Myers-Hill; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas Senate and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Kirk Myers-Hill.

West

________________________________

President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on April 13, 2023, by a rising vote.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate