Texas 2015 - 84th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SR435 Compare Versions

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1	1	SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 435
2	2	In Memory
3	3	of
4	4	Mike Higgins
5	5	WHEREAS, Mike Higgins of Austin, chief of staff of the
6	6	Texas State Association of Fire Fighters, passed away on March 2,
7	7	2015, at the age of 59; and
8	8	WHEREAS, A native Texan, Mr. Higgins was born in El Paso to
9	9	Owen and Dixie Belew Higgins on October 15, 1955; he grew up with
10	10	the companionship of his brother and sister, Marcus and Judy, and
11	11	graduated from Sherman High School before going on to attend
12	12	Grayson College; and
13	13	WHEREAS, Mr. Higgins began his career as a firefighter and
14	14	paramedic with the Sherman Fire Department in 1978; eventually,
15	15	he developed an interest in the implications of public policy for
16	16	the safety and well-being of firefighters, and he was inspired to
17	17	join the staff of the Texas State Association of Fire Fighters in
18	18	1988; in the course of his work, he represented the organization
19	19	as a lobbyist, negotiated labor contracts, and backed firefighters
20	20	during arbitrations; and
21	21	WHEREAS, Among the achievements in which Mike Higgins took
22	22	particular pride were the passage of the first "meet and confer"
23	23	law supporting the right of firefighters to organize for
24	24	collective bargaining and another law permitting them to collect
25	25	donations for the Muscular Dystrophy Association; he also played
26	26	a key role in the establishment of the Texas Commission on Fire
27	27	Protection in the 1990s, and even as he battled illness during
28	28	the later years of his life, he rarely missed a commission
29	29	meeting; during his many years in public service, he further
30	30	shared his expertise on health, labor, transportation, and
31	31	various other matters pertaining to state government; and
32	32	WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Mr. Higgins was sustained
33	33	by the love and support of his wife of 38 years, Peggy, his
34	34	children, Hillary, Katie, and Stephen, and his grandson, Micah;
35	35	he treasured the time he spent with his family, and as a
36	36	"recovering golfer," he took pains to devote his leisure hours to
37	37	other activities; and
38	38	WHEREAS, Steadfast in his commitment to Texas
39	39	firefighters, Mike Higgins made a profound impact in the lives of
40	40	those who swear the oath of this noble profession, and his
41	41	achievements will be remembered and admired for years to come;
42	42	now, therefore, be it
43	43	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 84th
44	44	Legislature, hereby pay tribute to the life of Mike Higgins and
45	45	extend heartfelt condolences to the members of his family: to his
46	46	wife,PeggyHurleyHiggins;tohischildren,KatieHigginsPratt
47	47	and her husband, Heath, Stephen Higgins, and Hillary Higgins; to
48	48	his grandson, Micah Pratt; to his siblings, Marcus Higgins and
49	49	Judy Higgins Kropf; and to his other relatives, his many friends,
50	50	and his fellow firefighters across the Lone Star State; and, be
51	51	it further
52	52	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be
53	53	prepared for his family and that when the Texas Senate adjourns
54	54	this day, it do so in memory of Mike Higgins.
55	55	Menéndez
56	56	________________________________
57	57	President of the Senate
58	58	I hereby certify that the
59	59	above Resolution was adopted by
60	60	the Senate on March 31, 2015, by a
61	61	rising vote.
62	62	________________________________
63	63	Secretary of the Senate
64	64	________________________________
65	65	Member, Texas Senate