SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 744
In Memory
of
Matthew Robert Clark
WHEREAS, Matthew Robert Clark of Frisco lost his life in a
tragic accident on June 3, 2012, at the age of 21, and family and
friends are honoring his memory by performing simple acts of
kindness for others; and
WHEREAS, Born on January 1, 1991, in Hot Springs, Arkansas,
Matt Clark was the son of John and Sandra Clark and the brother of
Byron Clark; at the time of his passing, he was in his senior year
as a health science major at Baylor University and had dreams of a
career in the medical field; he was a graduate of Legacy
Christian Academy, where he belonged to the National Honor
Society and received a host of awards for his achievements in
football, basketball, baseball, and track; and
WHEREAS, Guided by a strong faith in his every endeavor,
Mr. Clark had a particular affinity for the verse Proverbs 16:3,
which reads, "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans
will succeed"; he strove to be a leader and a positive example,
and his compassionate nature was readily apparent in his words
and actions; and
WHEREAS, In May 2011, he drove out to bring aid to the
victims of the tornado that devastated Joplin, Missouri; on the
return trip, he rescued from the side of the road an abandoned
puppy, which he welcomed into his home and named "Joplin"; he was
known for brightening the days of those around him with his many
good deeds, such as helping a friend move, offering a lift to the
airport, tutoring a classmate, or simply sharing a smile or a
joke; and
WHEREAS, Inspired by the sense of purpose that this caring
young man demonstrated throughout his life, his family has
provided a list of 22 suggested acts of kindness that they are
asking their fellow Texans to perform during 2013 in celebration
of what would have been Matt's 22nd birthday:
1. Write a note to a person who could use some encouragement. 1. Write a note to a person who could use some encouragement.
1. Write a note to a person who could use some encouragement.
2. Say "I love you" to someone you hold dear. 2. Say "I love you" to someone you hold dear.
2. Say "I love you" to someone you hold dear.
3. Bring coffee or treats to an acquaintance. 3. Bring coffee or treats to an acquaintance.
3. Bring coffee or treats to an acquaintance.
4. Say "please" and "thank you" and mean it. 4. Say "please" and "thank you" and mean it.
4. Say "please" and "thank you" and mean it.
5. Call or write to a teacher who made a difference in your life. 5. Call or write to a teacher who made a difference in your life.
5. Call or write to a teacher who made a difference in your life.
6. Help a friend move. 6. Help a friend move.
6. Help a friend move.
7. Forgive a debt, and never bring it up again. 7. Forgive a debt, and never bring it up again.
7. Forgive a debt, and never bring it up again.
8. Say "I'm sorry" when you are wrong. 8. Say "I'm sorry" when you are wrong.
8. Say "I'm sorry" when you are wrong.
9. Ask someone "How are you really doing?" and genuinely listen to the response. 9. Ask someone "How are you really doing?" and genuinely listen to the response.
9. Ask someone "How are you really doing?" and genuinely listen to the response.
10. Offer to babysit for a single mom. 10. Offer to babysit for a single mom.
10. Offer to babysit for a single mom.
11. Return shopping carts for people in parking lots. 11. Return shopping carts for people in parking lots.
11. Return shopping carts for people in parking lots.
12. Smile and say "hello" to people. 12. Smile and say "hello" to people.
12. Smile and say "hello" to people.
13. Donate clothing. 13. Donate clothing.
13. Donate clothing.
14. Make someone laugh. 14. Make someone laugh.
14. Make someone laugh.
15. Hold the door open for the person behind you. 15. Hold the door open for the person behind you.
15. Hold the door open for the person behind you.
16. Give a compliment. 16. Give a compliment.
16. Give a compliment.
17. Pay for the person behind you in line at a restaurant or coffee shop. 17. Pay for the person behind you in line at a restaurant or coffee shop.
17. Pay for the person behind you in line at a restaurant or coffee shop.
18. Buy a homeless person a meal. 18. Buy a homeless person a meal.
18. Buy a homeless person a meal.
19. Volunteer at or take towels and blankets to an animal shelter. 19. Volunteer at or take towels and blankets to an animal shelter.
19. Volunteer at or take towels and blankets to an animal shelter.
20. Take doughnuts to the fire station, the police station, or the office. 20. Take doughnuts to the fire station, the police station, or the office.
20. Take doughnuts to the fire station, the police station, or the office.
21. Pass along a great book that you have just finished reading. 21. Pass along a great book that you have just finished reading.
21. Pass along a great book that you have just finished reading.
22. Spend time at a nursing home by playing board games or conversing with residents; and 22. Spend time at a nursing home by playing board games or conversing with residents; and
22. Spend time at a nursing home by playing board games or conversing with residents; and
WHEREAS, Intended to be unexpected and unreciprocated,
these quiet yet meaningful gestures are seldom forgotten, and
through the journey of sharing them, participants are ensuring
that the vibrant spirit of Matt Clark will forever shine brightly
for those who were blessed to share in his love and friendship,
and many more beyond; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 83rd
Legislature, hereby pay tribute to the life of Matthew Robert
Clark and urge all who hear of this heartfelt endeavor to seek out
opportunities to help and encourage friends and strangers alike.
Paxton
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on April 23, 2013, by a
rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate
1. Write a note to a person who could use some encouragement.
2. Say "I love you" to someone you hold dear.
3. Bring coffee or treats to an acquaintance.
4. Say "please" and "thank you" and mean it.
5. Call or write to a teacher who made a difference in your life.
6. Help a friend move.
7. Forgive a debt, and never bring it up again.
8. Say "I'm sorry" when you are wrong.
9. Ask someone "How are you really doing?" and genuinely listen to the response.
10. Offer to babysit for a single mom.
11. Return shopping carts for people in parking lots.
12. Smile and say "hello" to people.
13. Donate clothing.
14. Make someone laugh.
15. Hold the door open for the person behind you.
16. Give a compliment.
17. Pay for the person behind you in line at a restaurant or coffee shop.
18. Buy a homeless person a meal.
19. Volunteer at or take towels and blankets to an animal shelter.
20. Take doughnuts to the fire station, the police station, or the office.
21. Pass along a great book that you have just finished reading.
22. Spend time at a nursing home by playing board games or conversing with residents; and