H.R. No. 1453
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The athletic achievements and military service of
Army Specialist Brad Thomas of Jones Creek were deservedly honored
on March 29, 2011, when he became the first person from Brazosport
High School to have his baseball jersey retired; and
WHEREAS, School officials and coaches chose Specialist
Thomas for this honor because he embodies the qualities they
promote in their sports programs; during his years in school, he was
an outstanding athlete and team player as well as a dedicated
scholar and a young man of exemplary character; chosen as the most
valuable player on the 2004 Brazosport team, he was widely
respected on the field and in the halls of his school; moreover,
this admirable young man has continued to demonstrate determination
and courage in the years since his graduation while facing a number
of significant challenges; and
WHEREAS, After earning his diploma, Mr. Thomas initially
accepted an offer to study and play football at Texas Lutheran
University, but he decided to leave school a year and a half later
in order to serve his nation in the United States Army; in making
his decision, he was inspired by the example of his best friend,
Cody Ford, who had opted to join the military; the two had grown up
together and shared an interest in the armed forces, and they had
long discussed their mutual dream of enlisting; and
WHEREAS, Turning down an initial assignment as a medic,
Specialist Thomas requested to be assigned to the infantry; while
completing training, he suffered an immeasurable loss when he
learned that Mr. Ford had been killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq in
December 2006; though deeply saddened, he found further motivation
in the tragic turn of events, and he told his friend's family that
the death had made him even more determined to serve in combat so
that he could take up the mission that Mr. Ford had begun; and
WHEREAS, Specialist Thomas left for a 15-month deployment to
Iraq in November 2007, expressing his wholehearted belief in his
mission; he also found that the lessons about teamwork that he had
learned in high school athletics translated well to the combat
squads in which he worked; and
WHEREAS, Only months into his mission, this valiant Texan was
injured by a roadside bomb in January 2008, suffering a traumatic
brain injury that has required him to remain in a Florida hospital;
and
WHEREAS, The devoted family of Specialist Thomas has remained
by his side, living through a roller coaster of emotions with his
gains and setbacks, and maintaining their hope that he will one day
return to Texas; that dream is shared by the residents of southern
Brazoria County, who have continued an outpouring of love and
support for the Thomas family for more than three years, waiting for
this heroic soldier to come home; and
WHEREAS, The retiring of the baseball jersey that Brad Thomas
wore for Brazosport High is a fitting tribute to a young man who has
distinguished himself as a star athlete and as an American hero and
whose achievements will remain a source of inspiration for area
residents for many years to come; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby commend Brad Thomas on his military service,
congratulate him on becoming the first baseball player from
Brazosport High School to have his jersey retired, and extend to him
sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Specialist Thomas as an expression of high regard by
the Texas House of Representatives.
Bonnen
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1453 was adopted by the House on May
12, 2011, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House