TITLE: In memory of Bakari Jaward Henderson.

SUMMARY: In memory of Bakari Jaward Henderson.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and commemorates the life of Bakari Jaward Henderson, who died July 7, 2017, at the age of 22; and WHEREAS, Bakari Jaward Henderson was born April 13, 1995, in Austin, Texas; he attended Austin's Anderson High School and went on to become a Distinguished Graduate at Hyde Park Baptist High School in 2013 with a grade point average of 4.0; and WHEREAS, He was a star athlete and an avid sportsman who excelled in tennis and soccer and was recognized with First Team All-District honors in basketball; he was also a leader in promoting youth basketball, and he served as a referee in football and basketball leagues for all age groups; and WHEREAS, He received a full National Achievement academic scholarship to attend the University of Arizona, Eller College of Management, Honors College, where he was an accomplished member of the National Honor Society, and he earned a bachelor of science degree in business finance and entrepreneurship and a certificate in sports management on May 12, 2017; and WHEREAS, His scholarship, his ambition, and his sense of honor and pursuit of excellence were recognized and embraced when he was quickly selected during his freshman year to become a member of the brotherhood of Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity, and he was an exemplary "FIJI" throughout his tenure at the University of Arizona; and WHEREAS, He consistently volunteered his time to support the Capital Area Food Bank and Ronald McDonald House, and he shared his passion for the game of basketball by serving as a practice player for the University of Arizona Wildcats Pac-12 Conference women's basketball team; and WHEREAS, He distinguished himself as a big thinker who was selected for numerous special initiatives, including the Stanford University Lead America Business Entrepreneur Program, where he collaborated with top-level executives in the Silicon Valley, and the China Europe International Business School Pre-MBA Boot Camp, which afforded him the opportunity to develop business strategies in support of his international career aspirations; and WHEREAS, He had an ultimate plan of building a multifaceted international business enterprise; he was an enthusiastic traveler and had been to China, where he visited Shanghai and Beijing, and to Europe, where he visited England, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Monaco, and Spain; during his travels, he enjoyed meetingpeopleandmakingbusinessconnectionsforthefuture, and he experienced the exhilaration of Wimbledon and the Union of European Football Associations Champions League Soccer Final; and WHEREAS, Bakari was a beloved son of Jill and Philbert Henderson, an adoring sibling to Darrion, Philbert Jr. (P. J.), and Jory, a jewel to a close and loving extended family, and a friend to everyone he met; and WHEREAS, He was also one of our own, having served both as a messenger for the Texas Senate and as an intern for the Honorable Joe Straus, Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives; and WHEREAS, Bakari Henderson lived his life to the fullest and made the most of every moment; he shared his irrepressible spirit with the world, and he will be deeply missed by all who were privileged to share in his life; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved family of Bakari Jaward Henderson; and, be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas Senate and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Bakari Henderson. Watson President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on July 19, 2017, by a rising vote.