H.R. No. 2782
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Michael Stephens 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. Stephens'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, Executive director of the Texas State Athletic
Trainers' Association, "Spanky" Stephens began his work as a
trainer while a student at The University of Texas at Austin in 1967
and went on to become head trainer there in 1978; he supervised
hundreds of athletes and worked with nine Longhorn national
championship teams, and he was also responsible for a strong
student program that sent qualified trainers to high schools and
colleges; he accepted his current post after retiring from UT in
2000; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Stephens has further distinguished himself as a
legislative representative for the Southwest Athletic Trainers'
Association, as a longtime member of the Texas Advisory Board of
Athletic Trainers, and as the recipient of many awards and honors,
including induction into the All-American Football Foundation Hall
of Honor and the SWATA Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, Deeply concerned about the health and well-being of
student-athletes, Spanky Stephens benefited his fellow citizens
with his outstanding advocacy for Natasha's Law, and Representative
Price expresses his gratitude for Mr. Stephens'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 Michael "Spanky" Stephens for his 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. Stephens as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.
Price
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 2782 was adopted by the House on May
30, 2011, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House