H.R. No. 2781
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Dennis Hart was instrumental in the passage of House
Bill 2038, requiring Texas schools to establish a protocol for
dealing with student-athletes suspected to have sustained a
concussion; and
WHEREAS, The legislation, which was authored by State
Representative Four Price, has been named "Natasha's Law" in honor
of Natasha Helmick, whose soccer career ended after she suffered
five concussions in four years; involved in the sport since age
four, she earned a scholarship to play for Texas State University,
but a medical evaluation changed the course of her path; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Hart's efforts in behalf of this bill included
testifying before the House Committee on Public Health, discussing
its importance with numerous members of the legislature and
attending a press conference at the Capitol shortly after the bill
was introduced in the house; and
WHEREAS, A longtime athletic trainer, Mr. Hart began his
career in 1970 and worked at North Mesquite High School from 1973
until his retirement in 2006; he went on to become the director for
clinical and outreach services for the Sports Medicine Clinic of
North Texas in Dallas and also returned to athletic training
part-time at a middle school in Mesquite; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Hart has served as president of the Southwest
Athletic Trainers' Association and as chair of the founding
committee of the Texas State Athletic Trainers' Association; he has
received many recognitions at the district, state, and national
levels, including the Most Distinguished and Frank Medina awards
from SWATA in 1999 and 2001, respectively; and
WHEREAS, Deeply concerned about the health and well-being of
student-athletes, Dennis Hart contributed to his fellow citizens
with his outstanding advocacy for Natasha's Law, and Representative
Price expresses his gratitude for Mr. Hart's role in achieving this
notable legislative victory; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby honor Dennis Hart for his successful efforts to
heighten awareness of the dangers associated with concussion
sustained by student-athletes 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 Mr. Hart as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.
Price
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 2781 was adopted by the House on May
30, 2011, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House