| |
| |
|
|
SENATE RESOLUTION
|
|
|
WHEREAS, Summer Willis has worked to reframe the narrative |
|
|
around sexual assault and to empower survivors to reclaim their |
|
|
stories; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, In October 2014, Summer Willis, who was then a |
|
|
19-year-old sophomore at The University of Texas at Austin, was |
|
|
drugged and raped while at a party; after the assault, she fell |
|
|
into a depression and was later involved in an abusive |
|
|
relationship; she eventually started running as a way to heal, |
|
|
and in one year, she ran 29 marathons to raise awareness for |
|
|
survivors of sexual violence, ending her campaign at the 2024 |
|
|
Chicago Marathon; she also went on to establish Strength Through |
|
|
Strides, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping women |
|
|
overcome trauma through health and wellness; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, At the Austin Marathon on February 16, 2025, |
|
|
Ms. Willis embarked on her most recent campaign, "The Last Time |
|
|
We Crawl"; in order to bring awareness to the excruciatingly |
|
|
painful and slow healing process that survivors of sexual assault |
|
|
experience, she crawled 13.1 miles for a total of 13.5 hours; in a |
|
|
powerful and unexpected moment, she ran the second half of the |
|
|
marathon, a metaphor for the survivor's journey from trauma to |
|
|
triumph; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, The actions Ms. Willis has taken have generated |
|
|
national media coverage and conversations about sexual violence, |
|
|
inspired survivors to share their stories, and raised funds for |
|
|
survivor assistance programs; in addition, she has catalyzed |
|
|
support for legislative reform that would redefine consent and |
|
|
strengthen policies to protect survivors of sexual assault; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Through her steadfast dedication, selfless |
|
|
service, and exemplary leadership, Summer Willis is working |
|
|
toward creating a world where survivors of sexual violence are |
|
|
met with belief, support, and justice, and she is indeed |
|
|
deserving of recognition for her outstanding efforts; now, |
|
|
therefore, be it |
|
|
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 89th Texas Legislature |
|
|
hereby honor Summer Willis for her advocacy on behalf of |
|
|
survivors of sexual violence and extend to her sincere best |
|
|
wishes for continued success with her vital work; and, be it |
|
|
further |
|
|
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
|
|
prepared for Ms. Willis as an expression of high regard by the |
|
|
Texas Senate. |