TITLE: In memory of Ollie "Babe" Garza of Fort Worth.

SUMMARY: In memory of Ollie "Babe" Garza of Fort Worth.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Family and friends were deeply saddened by the passing of Ollie Garza of Fort Worth on December 1, 2022, at the age of 58; and WHEREAS, The son of Ollie and Marie Garza, "Babe" Garza was born in Fort Worth on May 9, 1964, and he grew up with the companionship of three brothers, Johnny, Rudy, and Anthony; a natural born athlete, he played numerous sports throughout his youth until October 19, 1978, when a tragic accident while playing football for Diamond Hill-Jarvis High School left him paralyzed at the age of 14; never deterred by his need for a wheelchair, he graduated from high school in 1982 and went on to earn a bachelor's degree from The University of Texas at Arlington in 1996; and WHEREAS, Alongside a successful career in business, Mr. Garza was an active member of his community; he gave generously of his time to numerous organizations, including the Gridiron Heroes Spinal Cord Injury Foundation, Hispanic Organization Helping Others, and Toastmasters International, and he was also a member of the Dallas Wheelchair Sidekicks quad-rugby team that won the national championship in 1989; in addition, he authored the book Why Not Me? 8 Keys to Turning Tragedy into Triumph as a testament to his journey of recovery, independence, and success; and WHEREAS, Babe Garza earned the admiration of all who knew him through his strength of character and perseverance in the face of life's challenges, and he will forever remain a source of inspiration to those he leaves behind; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Ollie Garza and extend sincere condolences to the members of his family: to his parents, Ollie and Marie Garza; to his daughter, Alexandria Vasquez; to his stepdaughter, Victoria Rios; to his brothers, Johnny Garza and his wife, Stephanie, and Rudy Garza and his wife, Leann; to his nieces, Amanda Perez, Samantha Xayavong and her husband, Kevin, and Jasmine Garza; to his nephews, Andrew Garza, Joshua Garza, Rudy Garza II, and Jorge "BJ" Perez; to his grandniece, Evelyn "Evie" Xayavong; and to his other relatives and friends; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Babe Garza. Romero, Jr. Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 525 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on March 16, 2023. Chief Clerk of the House