TITLE: Honoring Felix Lugo for completing the 2013 Gusher Marathon in Beaumont while carrying the American flag.

SUMMARY: Honoring Felix Lugo for completing the 2013 Gusher Marathon in Beaumont while carrying the American flag.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Felix Lugo of Houston demonstrated great patriotism and determination during his participation in the 2013 Gusher Marathon in Beaumont, running the entire 26.2-mile race carrying the American flag; and WHEREAS, A running coach and avid long-distance enthusiast, Mr. Lugo has competed in a total of 50 marathons, and in 27 of the events he has proudly held the Stars and Stripes aloft while completing the route; he began this practice in January 2002 to show support for his country following the 9/11 terrorist attacks; this army veteran hails from a family with a proud history of military service, and his father's harrowing recollections of combat during the Korean War were another factor that convinced Mr. Lugo to begin flying Old Glory in his races; and WHEREAS, Despite being a skilled athlete, Mr. Lugo faces challenging physical demands as part of this undertaking; the flag's weight and wind resistance make a difficult race even tougher, and that was particularly true in the Gusher Marathon; struggling against winds that gusted up to 25 miles per hour, he was forced to drop to the back of the race field; the exhausting conditions made him consider quitting, but he persevered; and WHEREAS, After six hours of running, Mr. Lugo still had several miles to go, but officials agreed to keep the course open while he covered the final distance; as he approached the finish line, he was greeted by the inspiring sight of additional American flags being flown by members of the Patriot Guard Riders; the motorcycle group had waited patiently to honor him for his actions, and its members presented him with a certificate and a commemorative coin after the race was completed; and WHEREAS, Mr. Lugo has also received heartfelt expressions of support in other events he has taken part in, with spectators enthusiastically cheering him on as he passes; in addition, other runners frequently offer to help him carry the flag, but in most cases he declines, believing it to be his personal mission to complete the race with the banner in hand; he is aided in his task by his loving wife, Sylvia, who provides him with water, other supplies, and encouragement every step of the way; and WHEREAS, The final results of the 2013 Gusher Marathon show that Felix Lugo was the last runner to finish the race, but the remarkable dedication that he demonstrated while paying tribute to this nation's military service members has defined him as nothing less than a true champion; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas Legislature hereby honor Felix Lugo for his inspiring performance in the 2013 Gusher Marathon and commend him for his efforts to honor current and former members of the armed forces; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Mr. Lugo as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Deshotel Straus M. Gonzalez of El Paso Oliveira Allen N. Gonzalez of El Paso Orr Alonzo Gooden Otto Alvarado Guerra Paddie Anchia Guillen Parker Anderson Gutierrez Patrick Ashby Harless Perez Aycock Harper-Brown Perry Bell Hernandez Luna Phillips Bohac Herrero Pickett Bonnen of Brazoria Hilderbran Pitts Bonnen of Galveston Howard Price Branch Huberty Raney Burkett Hughes Ratliff Burnam Hunter Raymond Button Isaac Reynolds Callegari Johnson Riddle Canales Kacal Ritter Capriglione Keffer Rodriguez of Bexar Carter King of Hemphill Rodriguez of Travis Clardy King of Parker Rose Coleman King of Taylor Sanford Collier King of Zavala Schaefer Cook Kleinschmidt Sheets Cortez Klick Sheffield of Bell Craddick Kolkhorst Sheffield of Coryell Creighton Krause Simmons Crownover Kuempel Simpson Dale Larson Smith Darby Laubenberg Smithee Davis of Dallas Lavender Springer J. Davis of Harris Leach Stephenson S. Davis of Harris Lewis Stickland Deshotel Longoria Strama Dukes Lozano Taylor Dutton Lucio III Thompson of Brazoria Eiland Marquez Thompson of Harris Elkins Martinez Toth Fallon Martinez Fischer Turner of Collin Farias McClendon Turner of Harris Farney Menendez Turner of Tarrant Farrar Miles Villalba Fletcher Miller of Comal Villarreal Flynn Miller of Fort Bend Vo Frank Moody Walle Frullo Morrison White Geren Munoz, Jr. Workman Giddings Murphy Wu Goldman Naishtat Zedler Gonzales Nevarez Zerwas Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1386 was adopted by the House on April 15, 2013, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House