TITLE: Recognizing Sean Carter of WhenSeanSpeaks, Inc., for his work in focusing attention on drunk driving and helping its victims.

SUMMARY: Recognizing Sean Carter of WhenSeanSpeaks, Inc., for his work in focusing attention on drunk driving and helping its victims.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Sean Carter of Winnsboro has faced extraordinary challenges since being injured in an automobile accident in 2005, and through his work as founder of WhenSeanSpeaks, Inc., he has transformed his personal tragedy into a campaign to save lives; and WHEREAS, At the time the incident occurred, Sean Carter was a 22-year-old college student with plans to pursue a bachelor's degree in business administration and go to law school; on the evening of March 26, 2005, he was headed home with friends after visiting a few bars when the driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed; and WHEREAS, In addition to the multiple fractures and internal injuries he suffered, Mr. Carter was diagnosed with a severe diffuse axonal injury, a type of brain trauma; after emerging from a coma that lasted 39 days, he found he was unable to speak or walk, and his mother, Jenny Carter, had to assume guardianship of him; and WHEREAS, Refusing to abandon hope under these dire circumstances, Mr. Carter began using a tablet computer with "type to speech" software in an effort to reclaim his autonomy; he went on to embrace a new sense of purpose as well when he began sharing his story with others in 2007, as a participant in a Mothers Against Drunk Driving Victim Impact Panel in Dallas; three years later, he founded the nonprofit organization WhenSeanSpeaks; and WHEREAS, Since that time, Mr. Carter and his mother have taken their message to tens of thousands of young people across the nation; with funding from the Texas Department of Transportation, they partnered with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service to deliver presentations at 15 venues in 2013 and at 50 venues in 2014; and WHEREAS, WhenSeanSpeaks is dedicated to educating youth on the devastating toll of drinking and driving, emphasizing that it is equally important, as a passenger, to be mindful of the condition of the driver of the vehicle; the organization is also dedicated to improving the lives of people affected by traumatic brain injuries through public awareness and research and to increasing the availability of exercise facilities that are equipped to serve persons with mobility needs; and WHEREAS, Throughout his ordeal, Mr. Carter has benefited greatly from the support of his mother, his brothers, Todd and Ben, and his father, Danny Carter, who passed away in 2012; Sean reached a major milestone in 2013, when his recovery was deemed sufficient to have his guardianship dismissed, and he continues to make important strides toward complete independence; and WHEREAS, Although Sean Carter's fight is not yet over, he has made an inspiring contribution to the world through his example of resilience and perseverance, his determination to assist others who are enduring similar struggles, and his commitment to focus attention on the dangers of drunk driving; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas Legislature hereby commend Sean Carter for all that he has achieved in his work with WhenSeanSpeaks, Inc., and extend to him sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Mr. Carter as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Hughes Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1938 was adopted by the House on May 7, 2015, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House