TITLE: Recognizing April 7, 2025, as DJ Daniel Day.

SUMMARY: Recognizing April 7, 2025, as DJ Daniel Day.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Devarjaye "DJ" Daniel is visiting the Texas State Capitol on April 7, 2025, and this occasion provides a welcome opportunity to recognize the passion and determination of this exceptional young Texan and honorary law enforcement officer; and WHEREAS, A native of the Houston area, 13-year-old DJ first became interested in police work after officers assisted his family during Hurricane Harvey in 2017; he was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer the following year, and though he was told that he might only have months to live, he refused to give up hope; drawing strength from his religious faith, he has endured clinical trials and more than a dozen rounds of brain surgery in the years since he was diagnosed, and he has far exceeded his doctor's initial prognosis; and WHEREAS, In the course of his treatment, DJ began visiting law enforcement agencies, inspired by his fellow childhood cancer patient, Abigail Arias, who was appointed as an honorary officer by the Freeport Police Department before her death in 2019; in memory of Abigail, DJ set a goal of being sworn in as an honorary officer with 758 agencies, a tribute to Abigail's badge number; he has far exceeded that total and has been honored by more than 900 departments around the country to date; and WHEREAS, On March 4, 2025, DJ attained an even more impressive designation when he became an honorary United States Secret Service agent; President Donald J. Trump announced his appointment during the president's joint address to Congress, with DJ and his father, Theodis, in attendance; DJ plans to continue his mission and hopes to set a Guinness World Record by being sworn in by 1,000 agencies; and WHEREAS, Through his efforts to raise awareness of childhood cancer and to support law enforcement officers across the nation, DJ Daniel has set an inspiring example of resilience, courage, and selflessness, and the members of the Texas Senate are honored to welcome him to Austin; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 89th Legislature, hereby recognize April 7, 2025, as DJ Daniel Day at the State Capitol and extend to Devarjaye "DJ" Daniel heartfelt best wishes for the future; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be prepared for DJ Daniel as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate. Middleton Alvarado Hagenbuch Men ndez Bettencourt Hall Miles Birdwell Hancock Nichols Blanco Hinojosa of Hidalgo Parker Campbell Hinojosa of Nueces Paxton Cook Huffman Perry Creighton Hughes Schwertner Eckhardt Johnson Sparks Flores King West Gutierrez Kolkhorst Zaffirini Patrick, President of the Senate President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on April 7, 2025.