Bill Text: TX HR95 | 2023 | 88th Legislature 4th Special Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: In memory of former Lubbock firefighter Matthew Dawson.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2023-12-05 - Reported enrolled [HR95 Detail]
Download: Texas-2023-HR95-Enrolled.html
| H.R. No. 95 | ||
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| WHEREAS, A life defined by tremendous courage and resolve | ||
| drew to a close with the passing of former Lubbock firefighter | ||
| Matthew Dawson on November 26, 2023, at the age of 34; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Born in Lubbock on February 5, 1989, to Michael and | ||
| Cinthia Dawson, Matt Dawson grew up with the companionship of a | ||
| sister, Connie; he discovered his passion for helping others at an | ||
| early age, becoming involved in missionary work through his church; | ||
| he graduated from Lubbock-Cooper High School in 2007, and after | ||
| initially working for his father in the family business, he set his | ||
| sights on a career as a first responder; in 2009, he joined the | ||
| Woodrow Volunteer Fire Department, and he went on to earn his EMT | ||
| certification at South Plains College before attending the | ||
| Wolfforth Fire Academy in the fall of 2010; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Mr. Dawson subsequently became a member of Lubbock | ||
| Fire Rescue, and he found immense fulfillment in serving his | ||
| hometown as a member of the department; while devoting himself to | ||
| his duties as a firefighter, he advanced his professional | ||
| development by earning his paramedic certification and his fire and | ||
| medical teaching certification; he also served as an instructor at | ||
| the Wolfforth Fire Academy, where he enjoyed providing guidance and | ||
| support to future fire safety professionals; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Mr. Dawson demonstrated inspiring grace and | ||
| fortitude after he was critically injured in a roadside accident in | ||
| 2020 that claimed the lives of two fellow first responders; the | ||
| unwavering determination he demonstrated during his recovery | ||
| enabled him to progress far beyond his doctors' and therapists' | ||
| expectations; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Along the way, Mr. Dawson became an advocate for the | ||
| 5-5-5 Safety Initiative, which was founded by the parents of one of | ||
| the victims of the accident; during the 88th Texas Legislature, he | ||
| worked with lawmakers to secure the passage of House Bill 2468, the | ||
| Matt Dawson Act, which allows first responders who are injured in | ||
| the line of duty to receive workers' compensation benefits for | ||
| life; he retired from Lubbock Fire Rescue in April 2022, and he was | ||
| honored as an Unsung Hero of Lubbock the following June; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Above all, Mr. Dawson was a caring husband and | ||
| father; he and his wife, Chanda, shared a rewarding marriage that | ||
| spanned 12 years, and in 2014 they became the parents of a beloved | ||
| daughter, Preslee; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Although the passing of Matt Dawson is an | ||
| incalculable loss to all those who held him dear, he leaves behind a | ||
| record of service to his community and his profession that will be | ||
| remembered and admired for years to come; now, therefore, be it | ||
| RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas | ||
| Legislature, 4th Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life of | ||
| Matthew Dawson and extend deepest condolences to all those who | ||
| mourn his passing; 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 Matt | ||
| Dawson. | ||
| Burrows | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Speaker of the House | ||
| I certify that H.R. No. 95 was unanimously adopted by a rising | ||
| vote of the House on December 5, 2023. | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Chief Clerk of the House | ||
