Bill Text: TX HR1077 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: In memory of former Olympic track athlete Eric Thomas of Houston.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2023-04-21 - Reported enrolled [HR1077 Detail]
Download: Texas-2023-HR1077-Enrolled.html
| H.R. No. 1077 | ||
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| WHEREAS, The untimely passing of former Olympic track athlete | ||
| Eric Thomas of Houston on December 30, 2022, at the age of 49, | ||
| brought a heartbreaking loss to his family, friends, and | ||
| colleagues; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Eric Thomas was born on December 1, 1973, in | ||
| Garrison and grew up with the company of five siblings; following | ||
| his father's death, his mother raised the children on her own, and | ||
| she instilled in Eric a work ethic that would come to define his | ||
| life; a standout athlete at Garrison High School, he was awarded | ||
| track and football scholarships from Blinn College; his exceptional | ||
| ability as a hurdler became evident as a freshman, and the next | ||
| year, he set a National Junior College Athletic Association track | ||
| record in the 400-meter hurdles; he went on to earn All-American | ||
| track honors at Abilene Christian University; and | ||
| WHEREAS, One of the top-ranked 400-meter hurdlers in the | ||
| world from 1993 through 2003, Mr. Thomas was a U.S. champion, and he | ||
| claimed a top-15 finish at the 2000 Summer Olympic Games in Sydney, | ||
| Australia; moreover, he collected two silver medals at the Pan | ||
| American Games; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Following his retirement from track competition, | ||
| Mr. Thomas remained actively involved in the sport, founding | ||
| Houston-based Champion Trainers in 2005 and conducting sports camps | ||
| in Garrison; dedicated to improving the health and fitness of Texas | ||
| youth, he established the Eric Thomas Foundation, which provides | ||
| scholarships and support to individuals in underserved | ||
| communities; he further distinguished himself by creating the | ||
| Hurdling Over Obesity and Diabetes program; his generosity and | ||
| civic engagement were widely appreciated, and he was beloved by | ||
| numerous people in Texans and around the globe; and | ||
| WHEREAS, A humble hometown hero who gained international | ||
| acclaim, Eric Thomas inspired countless track fans and competitors, | ||
| and his many achievements will continue to be remembered and | ||
| admired for years to come; now, therefore, be it | ||
| RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas | ||
| Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Eric Thomas and | ||
| extend deepest condolences to all who mourn his passing; and, be it | ||
| further | ||
| RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be | ||
| prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of | ||
| Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Eric | ||
| Thomas. | ||
| Clardy | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Speaker of the House | ||
| I certify that H.R. No. 1077 was unanimously adopted by a | ||
| rising vote of the House on April 20, 2023. | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Chief Clerk of the House | ||
