85R14726 RMA-D
By: Fallon H.R. No. 781
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Former NFL placekicker Rolf Benirschke built a
legacy of achievement in his years as a player, and he has further
distinguished himself through his courageous efforts to overcome
serious health issues and to work in behalf of others who face
similar challenges; and
WHEREAS, A native of Boston, Mr. Benirschke played football
at the University of California, Davis, before being selected in
the 12th round of the 1977 NFL Draft; he made his professional debut
for the San Diego Chargers later that year, and he went on to spend
his entire decade-long career with that franchise; during his
tenure, he tallied an impressive total of 328 extra points and 146
field goals and earned All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Benirschke's accomplishments are all the more
impressive given that he was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in
his second NFL season; he overcame that life-threatening ailment to
once again excel on the gridiron, and his comeback was recognized
with numerous awards; he later battled hepatitis C, having
contracted the virus from a blood transfusion, and he underwent
extensive treatment to ultimately be cured of that potentially
deadly disease; and
WHEREAS, Motivated by his personal experiences,
Mr. Benirschke has spent more than three and a half decades
supporting patients who live with Crohn's disease, ulcerative
colitis, colorectal and bladder cancer, and other circumstances
that can lead to ostomy surgery; he has served as a national
spokesperson for the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America, which
presented him with a Modell Award for Business Leadership, and has
raised over $1 million to find a cure for inflammatory bowel
disease; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Benirschke has also collaborated with the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Liver
Foundation, and other organizations that raise awareness of
hepatitis C; moreover, he created the Rolf Benirschke Legacy
Foundation and the patient support program Kick Hep C, and he
cofounded Legacy Health Strategies; an accomplished author as well,
he has written three books, Alive & Kicking, Great Comebacks from
Ostomy Surgery, and Embracing Life; and
WHEREAS, Rolf Benirschke is not only an inspiration to
football fans nationwide but also to patients and their families
across the globe, and he is indeed deserving of special recognition
for his many good works; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
Legislature hereby honor Rolf Benirschke on his success as an
athlete and as a health advocate and philanthropist 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. Benirschke as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.