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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 435
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In Memory |
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of |
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Mike Higgins |
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WHEREAS, Mike Higgins of Austin, chief of staff of the |
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Texas State Association of Fire Fighters, passed away on March 2, |
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2015, at the age of 59; and |
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WHEREAS, A native Texan, Mr. Higgins was born in El Paso to |
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Owen and Dixie Belew Higgins on October 15, 1955; he grew up with |
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the companionship of his brother and sister, Marcus and Judy, and |
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graduated from Sherman High School before going on to attend |
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Grayson College; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Higgins began his career as a firefighter and |
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paramedic with the Sherman Fire Department in 1978; eventually, |
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he developed an interest in the implications of public policy for |
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the safety and well-being of firefighters, and he was inspired to |
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join the staff of the Texas State Association of Fire Fighters in |
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1988; in the course of his work, he represented the organization |
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as a lobbyist, negotiated labor contracts, and backed firefighters |
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during arbitrations; and |
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WHEREAS, Among the achievements in which Mike Higgins took |
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particular pride were the passage of the first "meet and confer" |
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law supporting the right of firefighters to organize for |
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collective bargaining and another law permitting them to collect |
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donations for the Muscular Dystrophy Association; he also played |
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a key role in the establishment of the Texas Commission on Fire |
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Protection in the 1990s, and even as he battled illness during |
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the later years of his life, he rarely missed a commission |
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meeting; during his many years in public service, he further |
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shared his expertise on health, labor, transportation, and |
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various other matters pertaining to state government; and |
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WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Mr. Higgins was sustained |
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by the love and support of his wife of 38 years, Peggy, his |
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children, Hillary, Katie, and Stephen, and his grandson, Micah; |
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he treasured the time he spent with his family, and as a |
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"recovering golfer," he took pains to devote his leisure hours to |
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other activities; and |
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WHEREAS, Steadfast in his commitment to Texas |
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firefighters, Mike Higgins made a profound impact in the lives of |
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those who swear the oath of this noble profession, and his |
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achievements will be remembered and admired for years to come; |
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now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 84th |
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Legislature, hereby pay tribute to the life of Mike Higgins and |
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extend heartfelt condolences to the members of his family: to his |
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wife,PeggyHurleyHiggins;tohischildren,KatieHigginsPratt |
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and her husband, Heath, Stephen Higgins, and Hillary Higgins; to |
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his grandson, Micah Pratt; to his siblings, Marcus Higgins and |
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Judy Higgins Kropf; and to his other relatives, his many friends, |
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and his fellow firefighters across the Lone Star State; and, be |
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it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be |
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prepared for his family and that when the Texas Senate adjourns |
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this day, it do so in memory of Mike Higgins. |
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Menéndez |
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________________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
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I hereby certify that the |
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above Resolution was adopted by |
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the Senate on March 31, 2015, by a |
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rising vote. |
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________________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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________________________________ |
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Member, Texas Senate |