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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 545
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WHEREAS, Summer Willis has worked to reframe the narrative |
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around sexual assault and to empower survivors to reclaim their |
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stories; and |
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WHEREAS, In October 2014, Summer Willis, who was then a |
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19-year-old sophomore at The University of Texas at Austin, was |
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drugged and raped while at a party; after the assault, she fell into a |
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depression and was later involved in an abusive relationship; she |
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eventually started running as a way to heal, and in one year, she ran |
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29 marathons to raise awareness for survivors of sexual violence, |
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ending her campaign at the 2024 Chicago Marathon; she also went on to |
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establish Strength Through Strides, a nonprofit organization |
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dedicated to helping women overcome trauma through health and |
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wellness; and |
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WHEREAS, At the Austin Marathon on February 16, 2025, |
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Ms. Willis embarked on her most recent campaign, "The Last Time We |
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Crawl"; in order to bring awareness to the excruciatingly painful and |
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slow healing process that survivors of sexual assault experience, |
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she crawled 13.1 miles for a total of 13.5 hours; in a powerful and |
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unexpected moment, she ran the second half of the marathon, a |
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metaphor for the survivor's journey from trauma to triumph; and |
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WHEREAS, The actions Ms. Willis has taken have generated |
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national media coverage and conversations about sexual violence, |
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inspired survivors to share their stories, and raised funds for |
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survivor assistance programs; in addition, she has catalyzed support |
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for legislative reform that would redefine consent and strengthen |
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policies to protect survivors of sexual assault; and |
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WHEREAS, Through her steadfast dedication, selfless service, |
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and exemplary leadership, Summer Willis is working toward creating a |
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world where survivors of sexual violence are met with belief, |
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support, and justice, and she is indeed deserving of recognition for |
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her outstanding efforts; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 89th |
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Legislature, hereby honor Summer Willis for her advocacy on behalf |
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of survivors of sexual violence and extend to her sincere best |
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wishes for continued success with her vital work; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be |
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prepared for Ms. Willis as an expression of high regard from the |
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Texas Senate. |
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Paxton |
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| Alvarado |
Hagenbuch |
Menéndez |
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| Bettencourt |
Hall |
Middleton |
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| Blanco |
Hinojosa of Hidalgo |
Nichols |
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| Campbell |
Hinojosa of Nueces |
Parker |
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| Creighton |
Hughes |
Schwertner |
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| Gutierrez |
Kolkhorst |
Zaffirini |
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Patrick, President of the Senate |
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________________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
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I hereby certify that the |
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above Resolution was adopted by |
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the Senate on May 19, 2025. |
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________________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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________________________________ |
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Member, Texas Senate |