H.R. No. 16
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The untimely death of Christopher Earl Ullrich
Linzza of El Campo on May 20, 2013, at the age of 48, brought a great
loss to his family and many friends; and
WHEREAS, Born in Atlanta, Georgia, on February 10, 1965,
"Hoss" Linzza was the son of Earl and Melba Linzza; he was a member
of Troop No. 1032 of the Sam Houston Area Council Boy Scouts of
America and attained the rank of Eagle Scout; after graduating from
J. Frank Dobie High School, he went on to attend San Jacinto College
before completing his bachelor's degree in history at the
University of Houston; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Linzza was a record-setting standout in track
and field, throwing the hammer, shot put, and discus; in addition,
he traveled around the country with his father to participate in
Scottish Highland Games, combining his passions for sports and his
family heritage; he particularly enjoyed tossing the caber, and he
was a member of the Houston Highland Games Association; in 1985, he
received the Dewar's "White Label" Award for Outstanding
Achievement in Scottish Athletics; and
WHEREAS, While still a student, Mr. Linzza joined the staff
of El Rancho Cima Scout Reservation, and he was employed at
Horseshoe Bend and Cockrell River Camp in a variety of positions,
including counselor, camp director, and program director; in
addition, he served the Sam Houston Area Council as a ranger at Camp
Strake and as a member of the annual Winter Camp staff; he became
the district executive for the Broken Arrow District of the Boy
Scouts in 1996, and three years later, he moved to El Campo, where
he was senior district executive for the Brahman District; after a
brief stint as program director for the Great Smoky Mountain
Council in Knoxville, Tennessee, his longing to return to the Lone
Star State led him to accept a position as chief professional
officer for the El Campo Boys and Girls Club; and
WHEREAS, This dynamic Texan was deeply committed to his
adopted hometown, where he was a member of St. Philip the Apostle
Catholic Church, a Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus
No. 2490, and a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of
Elks Lodge 1749; he served as leading knight and club room manager,
and he was named Elk of the Year; moreover, he was a James E. West
Fellow of the SHAC and a member of the Sons of the American
Revolution, the Sons of the Confederate Veterans, and the Rotary
Club; and
WHEREAS, A devoted family man, Mr. Linzza shared a fulfilling
marriage with his wife, the former Kristina Leigh Farley; he was the
proud father of three children, Collin, Harrison, and Shelby, and
enjoyed taking them to see historic sites; in his leisure, he liked
to study genealogy and Texas history; and
WHEREAS, Chris Linzza made a positive difference in the lives
of many young Texans through his professional endeavors, and
although he will be deeply missed, those he left behind will forever
remember him as a "gentle giant" who exemplified the highest ideals
of scouting; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas
Legislature, 2nd Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life of
Christopher Earl Ullrich Linzza and extend sincere sympathy to the
members of his family: to his wife, Kristina Farley Linzza; to his
sons, Collin Ramsey Linzza and Harrison Wayne Linzza; to his
daughter, Shelby Faye Linzza; to his sisters, Debbie Kennedy and
Pamela Haynes and her husband, Lee; to his aunt, Myra Christoffel
Cobb; to his in-laws, Eva and Ramsey Farley; and to his many other
relatives and friends; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Chris
Linzza.
Stephenson
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 16 was unanimously adopted by a rising
vote of the House on July 25, 2013.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House