| 1 | 1 | | SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 77 |
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| 2 | 2 | | In Memory |
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| 3 | 3 | | of |
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| 4 | 4 | | Stephen Rice |
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| 5 | 5 | | WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins the |
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| 6 | 6 | | citizens of Austin in mourning the loss of Stephen Rice, a |
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| 7 | 7 | | beloved resident who died July 16, 2017, at the age of 46; and |
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| 8 | 8 | | WHEREAS, Stephen Rice was born on August 11, 1970, in |
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| 9 | 9 | | Tyler, Texas; he attended Bullard High School, and he continued |
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| 10 | 10 | | his academic studies at Southwest Texas State University; and |
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| 11 | 11 | | WHEREAS, Stephen was a passionate advocate for equal |
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| 12 | 12 | | rights, and for nearly 25 years, he volunteered at a variety of |
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| 13 | 13 | | organizations serving LGBTQ citizens; he was the host of OutCast, |
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| 14 | 14 | | a weekly KOOP radio show on Austin's KUT 90.5 FM; the show gave |
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| 15 | 15 | | voice to the LGBTQ community, and he frequently spoke out against |
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| 16 | 16 | | discriminatory policies; and |
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| 17 | 17 | | WHEREAS, Stephen was known for his quick wit and |
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| 18 | 18 | | charismatic personality; he found great joy in simple pleasures, |
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| 19 | 19 | | such as enjoying his favorite drink, talking with strangers while |
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| 20 | 20 | | walking his dogs, or sharing a home-cooked meal with Mark Erwin, |
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| 21 | 21 | | his devoted husband of 22 years; and |
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| 22 | 22 | | WHEREAS, A tireless advocate and an admired public figure, |
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| 23 | 23 | | Stephen Rice inspired those who knew him by his compassion, his |
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| 24 | 24 | | political savvy, and his unfailing belief in equal treatment for |
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| 25 | 25 | | all citizens; he was a true Austin gentleman, and he will long be |
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| 26 | 26 | | remembered with respect and affection by all who were privileged |
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| 27 | 27 | | to share in his life; now, therefore, be it |
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| 28 | 28 | | RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th |
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| 29 | 29 | | Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby extend sincere condolences |
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| 30 | 30 | | to the bereaved family of Stephen Rice; and, be it further |
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| 31 | 31 | | RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for |
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| 32 | 32 | | his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas |
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| 33 | 33 | | Senate and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in |
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| 34 | 34 | | memory of Stephen Rice. |
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| 35 | 35 | | Watson |
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| 36 | 36 | | ________________________________ |
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| 37 | 37 | | President of the Senate |
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| 38 | 38 | | I hereby certify that the |
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| 39 | 39 | | above Resolution was adopted by |
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| 40 | 40 | | the Senate on July 26, 2017, by a |
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| 41 | 41 | | rising vote. |
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| 42 | 42 | | ________________________________ |
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| 43 | 43 | | Secretary of the Senate |
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| 44 | 44 | | ________________________________ |
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| 45 | 45 | | Member, Texas Senate |
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