Bill Text: TX SR435 | 2015-2016 | 84th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: In memory of Mike Higgins.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2015-03-31 - Printed in full [SR435 Detail]
Download: Texas-2015-SR435-Enrolled.html
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In Memory | ||
of | ||
Mike Higgins | ||
WHEREAS, Mike Higgins of Austin, chief of staff of the | ||
Texas State Association of Fire Fighters, passed away on March 2, | ||
2015, at the age of 59; and | ||
WHEREAS, A native Texan, Mr. Higgins was born in El Paso to | ||
Owen and Dixie Belew Higgins on October 15, 1955; he grew up with | ||
the companionship of his brother and sister, Marcus and Judy, and | ||
graduated from Sherman High School before going on to attend | ||
Grayson College; and | ||
WHEREAS, Mr. Higgins began his career as a firefighter and | ||
paramedic with the Sherman Fire Department in 1978; eventually, | ||
he developed an interest in the implications of public policy for | ||
the safety and well-being of firefighters, and he was inspired to | ||
join the staff of the Texas State Association of Fire Fighters in | ||
1988; in the course of his work, he represented the organization | ||
as a lobbyist, negotiated labor contracts, and backed firefighters | ||
during arbitrations; and | ||
WHEREAS, Among the achievements in which Mike Higgins took | ||
particular pride were the passage of the first "meet and confer" | ||
law supporting the right of firefighters to organize for | ||
collective bargaining and another law permitting them to collect | ||
donations for the Muscular Dystrophy Association; he also played | ||
a key role in the establishment of the Texas Commission on Fire | ||
Protection in the 1990s, and even as he battled illness during | ||
the later years of his life, he rarely missed a commission | ||
meeting; during his many years in public service, he further | ||
shared his expertise on health, labor, transportation, and | ||
various other matters pertaining to state government; and | ||
WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Mr. Higgins was sustained | ||
by the love and support of his wife of 38 years, Peggy, his | ||
children, Hillary, Katie, and Stephen, and his grandson, Micah; | ||
he treasured the time he spent with his family, and as a | ||
"recovering golfer," he took pains to devote his leisure hours to | ||
other activities; and | ||
WHEREAS, Steadfast in his commitment to Texas | ||
firefighters, Mike Higgins made a profound impact in the lives of | ||
those who swear the oath of this noble profession, and his | ||
achievements will be remembered and admired for years to come; | ||
now, therefore, be it | ||
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 84th | ||
Legislature, hereby pay tribute to the life of Mike Higgins and | ||
extend heartfelt condolences to the members of his family: to his | ||
wife,PeggyHurleyHiggins;tohischildren,KatieHigginsPratt | ||
and her husband, Heath, Stephen Higgins, and Hillary Higgins; to | ||
his grandson, Micah Pratt; to his siblings, Marcus Higgins and | ||
Judy Higgins Kropf; and to his other relatives, his many friends, | ||
and his fellow firefighters across the Lone Star State; and, be | ||
it further | ||
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be | ||
prepared for his family and that when the Texas Senate adjourns | ||
this day, it do so in memory of Mike Higgins. | ||
Menéndez | ||
________________________________ | ||
President of the Senate | ||
I hereby certify that the | ||
above Resolution was adopted by | ||
the Senate on March 31, 2015, by a | ||
rising vote. | ||
________________________________ | ||
Secretary of the Senate | ||
________________________________ | ||
Member, Texas Senate |