H.R. No. 2783
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, William F. Taylor III 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. Taylor'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, Head athletic trainer at Mesquite High School for 36
years, "Bucky" Taylor also served as the trainer at the Mesquite
Independent School District's Special Olympics local meets; his
research into concussions and the development of Mesquite's
return-to-play policy for athletes were featured on Dan Rather
Reports in 2010; he now works as an itinerant trainer in Mesquite
ISD and as a consultant to the Sports Medicine Clinic of North Texas
in Dallas; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Taylor served as president of the Southwest
Athletic Trainers' Association in 2002 and 2003 and was on the
founding committee of the North Texas Athletic Trainer Society; the
recipient of many awards and honors and a member of the SWATA Hall
of Fame, he has shared his time and talents with the University
Interscholastic League's advisory council, Internet task force,
and communications committee; and
WHEREAS, Deeply concerned about the health and well-being of
student-athletes, Bucky Taylor contributed to his fellow citizens
with his outstanding advocacy for Natasha's Law, and Representative
Price expresses his gratitude for Mr. Taylor'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 William F. "Bucky" Taylor 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. Taylor as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.
Price
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 2783 was adopted by the House on May
30, 2011, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House