TITLE: Recognizing March 21, 2013, as Texas State Athletic Trainers' Association Legislative Day at the State Capitol.

SUMMARY: Recognizing March 21, 2013, as Texas State Athletic Trainers' Association Legislative Day at the State Capitol.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, A delegation from the Texas State Athletic Trainers' Association is gathering in Austin on March 21, 2013, for the association's Legislative Day at the State Capitol; and WHEREAS, There are more than 2,900 athletic trainers in the State of Texas who are licensed by the state's Advisory Board of Athletic Trainers and meet specific standards of education, ethics, and professionalism; and WHEREAS, Athletic trainers work with the consent of a physician or other health care provider to manage the prevention, evaluation, and treatment of sports-related injuries and illnesses as well as the physical rehabilitation of patients; they attend to all individuals in athletic environments, including athletes, coaches, officials, workers, and fans, and are widely respected for the quality of care that they offer; and WHEREAS, The ability to intervene quickly in a medical crisis can be of critical importance, as early evaluation and treatment have been shown to reduce recovery time and decrease complications in the event of a severe injury, and in the past year alone, a number of Texas licensed athletic trainers distinguished themselves by reacting to emergency situations and initiating life-saving medical procedures; and WHEREAS, During fall football practice at the University of Houston in 2012, two defensive backs collided while attempting to intercept a pass; one of the athletes did not get up after the impact and was immediately attended to by head athletic trainer Michael O'Shea; recognizing the seriousness of the player's symptoms, Mr. O'Shea promptly stabilized him and called for an ambulance; the athlete was later diagnosed with a torn inferior vena cava, a condition that would have resulted in death had treatment been delayed; and WHEREAS, At a 2012 varsity football game at James E. Rudder High School in Bryan, an athlete collapsed while coming off of the field; athletic trainers James Woodall and Michael Lozano, who rushed to the player's aid, found that the athlete was experiencing agonal breathing, a life-threatening condition; Mr. Lozano stabilized the athlete's head and neck while Mr. Woodall began chest compressions before emergency medical services arrived to administer shocks with an automatic external defibrillator (AED); the athlete was later diagnosed with Long QT Syndrome, a heart rhythm disorder that could have been fatal if not for the quick actions of Mr. Lozano and Mr. Woodall; and WHEREAS, During a 2012 Vista Ridge High School football game in Leander, a fan collapsed in the stands; athletic trainer Michael Henry immediately called for the school's AED, which he used to administer two shocks that caused the man to regain his vital signs; the fan had a history of heart problems and, without the prompt response of Mr. Henry and other bystanders, he may not have survived; and WHEREAS, After a girls' basketball playoff game at Glenda Dawson High School in Pearland on the night of February 19, 2013, athletic trainer Monica Jackson was informed that a man had fallen in the bleachers; she found the man lying on a bench, and a doctor assessing him stated that he could detect no pulse; while holding the man's head as the doctor began performing CPR, she sent a bystander to retrieve the school's AED, and the shock successfully restored the man's pulse; thanks to Ms. Jackson's knowledge and composure, the man survived to be taken to the hospital by paramedics; and WHEREAS, In addition to their work on the sidelines, athletic trainers have played an instrumental role in shaping public policy related to the prevention of traumatic brain injuries among student athletes; in 2011, the Texas State Athletic Trainers' Association strongly supported House Bill 2038, named "Natasha's Law" in honor of Natasha Helmick, whose soccer career was cut short after she suffered multiple concussions; this landmark piece of legislation, which took effect in June 2011, requires Texas schools to establish a protocol on how to deal with players suspected of sustaining a concussion; and WHEREAS, All involved in sports and recreational activities benefit greatly from the presence of licensed athletic trainers, whose expertise can make the difference in life-threatening emergencies, and their contributions and ongoing efforts are indeed deserving of our support and gratitude; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas Legislature hereby recognize March 21, 2013, as Texas State Athletic Trainers' Association Legislative Day at the State Capitol and commend athletic trainers Michael O'Shea, James Woodall, Michael Lozano, Michael Henry, and Monica Jackson for their actions; and, be it further RESOLVED, That official copies of this resolution be prepared for the association and the trainers as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Price 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. 1021 was adopted by the House on March 21, 2013, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House