H.R. No. 827
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, April Lopez of McAllen demonstrated remarkable
decisiveness and composure on February 17, 2015, when she came to
the aid of a man experiencing a medical emergency; and
WHEREAS, A board certified nurse practitioner, Ms. Lopez has
spent 17 years as a registered nurse in both emergency rooms and
private practice; she currently works at Lopez Family Clinic in
McAllen, and she also teaches at her alma mater, The University of
Texas--Pan American; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Lopez was aboard a flight bound for McAllen from
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, and shortly after
takeoff, the captain began calling for a bystander with medical
experience to help assist a male passenger who was sweating and in
obvious physical distress; Ms. Lopez responded immediately, and
the man informed her that he had cirrhosis, a condition that can be
life-threatening in advanced stages; and
WHEREAS, With his condition worsening rapidly, Ms. Lopez
requested that the plane be landed and enlisted the help of two
other passengers to move him to a seat where she could begin
rendering aid; she injected him with intravenous fluids and readied
the plane's defibrillator to ensure that the man did not suffer
cardiac arrest; throughout this harrowing ordeal, Ms. Lopez
reassured him with her steady manner and the confidence that she had
developed during her career; the plane eventually touched down in
Austin, where emergency crews were waiting to rush the man to the
hospital for treatment; and
WHEREAS, By taking charge of a desperate situation, April
Lopez distinguished herself as a caring citizen and a professional
of outstanding skill and commitment, and her actions on that day are
indeed deserving of special recognition; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
Legislature hereby commend April Lopez for her heroism in providing
lifesaving assistance to a fellow traveler in need and extend to her
sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Ms. Lopez as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.
Guerra
Muñoz, Jr.
Canales
Martinez
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 827 was adopted by the House on March
12, 2015, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House