Bill Text: TX SR435 | 2015-2016 | 84th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: In memory of Mike Higgins.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)
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 | ||
