Bill Text: TX HR1021 | 2013-2014 | 83rd Legislature | Introduced

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Recognizing March 21, 2013, as Texas State Athletic Trainers' Association Legislative Day at the State Capitol.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 1)

Status: (Passed) 2013-03-21 - Reported enrolled [HR1021 Detail]

Download: Texas-2013-HR1021-Introduced.html

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83R16062 KEK-D
By: Price H.R. No. 1021

R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, A delegation from the Texas State Athletic Trainers'
Association is gathering in Austin on March 21, 2013, for the
association's Legislative Day at the State Capitol; and
WHEREAS, There are more than 2,900 athletic trainers in the
State of Texas who are licensed by the state's Advisory Board of
Athletic Trainers and meet specific standards of education, ethics,
and professionalism; and
WHEREAS, Athletic trainers work with the consent of a
physician or other health care provider to manage the prevention,
evaluation, and treatment of sports-related injuries and illnesses
as well as the physical rehabilitation of patients; they attend to
all individuals in athletic environments, including athletes,
coaches, officials, workers, and fans, and are widely respected for
the quality of care that they offer; and
WHEREAS, The ability to intervene quickly in a medical crisis
can be of critical importance, as early evaluation and treatment
have been shown to reduce recovery time and decrease complications
in the event of a severe injury, and in the past year alone, a number
of Texas licensed athletic trainers distinguished themselves by
reacting to emergency situations and initiating life-saving
medical procedures; and
WHEREAS, During fall football practice at the University of
Houston in 2012, two defensive backs collided while attempting to
intercept a pass; one of the athletes did not get up after the
impact and was immediately attended to by head athletic trainer
Michael O'Shea; recognizing the seriousness of the player's
symptoms, Mr. O'Shea promptly stabilized him and called for an
ambulance; the athlete was later diagnosed with a torn inferior
vena cava, a condition that would have resulted in death had
treatment been delayed; and
WHEREAS, At a 2012 varsity football game at James E. Rudder
High School in Bryan, an athlete collapsed while coming off of the
field; athletic trainers James Woodall and Michael Lozano, who
rushed to the player's aid, found that the athlete was experiencing
agonal breathing, a life-threatening condition; Mr. Lozano
stabilized the athlete's head and neck while Mr. Woodall began
chest compressions before emergency medical services arrived to
administer shocks with an automatic external defibrillator (AED);
the athlete was later diagnosed with Long QT Syndrome, a heart
rhythm disorder that could have been fatal if not for the quick
actions of Mr. Lozano and Mr. Woodall; and
WHEREAS, During a 2012 Vista Ridge High School football game
in Leander, a fan collapsed in the stands; athletic trainer Michael
Henry immediately called for the school's AED, which he used to
administer two shocks that caused the man to regain his vital signs;
the fan had a history of heart problems and, without the prompt
response of Mr. Henry and other bystanders, he may not have
survived; and
WHEREAS, After a girls' basketball playoff game at Glenda
Dawson High School in Pearland on the night of February 19, 2013,
athletic trainer Monica Jackson was informed that a man had fallen
in the bleachers; she found the man lying on a bench, and a doctor
assessing him stated that he could detect no pulse; while holding
the man's head as the doctor began performing CPR, she sent a
bystander to retrieve the school's AED, and the shock successfully
restored the man's pulse; thanks to Ms. Jackson's knowledge and
composure, the man survived to be taken to the hospital by
paramedics; and
WHEREAS, In addition to their work on the sidelines, athletic
trainers have played an instrumental role in shaping public policy
related to the prevention of traumatic brain injuries among student
athletes; in 2011, the Texas State Athletic Trainers' Association
strongly supported House Bill 2038, named "Natasha's Law" in honor
of Natasha Helmick, whose soccer career was cut short after she
suffered multiple concussions; this landmark piece of legislation,
which took effect in June 2011, requires Texas schools to establish
a protocol on how to deal with players suspected of sustaining a
concussion; and
WHEREAS, All involved in sports and recreational activities
benefit greatly from the presence of licensed athletic trainers,
whose expertise can make the difference in life-threatening
emergencies, and their contributions and ongoing efforts are indeed
deserving of our support and gratitude; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas
Legislature hereby recognize March 21, 2013, as Texas State
Athletic Trainers' Association Legislative Day at the State Capitol
and commend athletic trainers Michael O'Shea, James Woodall,
Michael Lozano, Michael Henry, and Monica Jackson for their
actions; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That official copies of this resolution be prepared
for the association and the trainers as an expression of high regard
by the Texas House of Representatives.