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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, A caring and purposeful life came to an untimely end |
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with the passing of Steven Matthew Dekker of Houston on January 9, |
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2016, at the age of 51; and |
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WHEREAS, The son of John and Genevieve Pahls Dekker, Steve |
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Dekker was born on November 3, 1964, in Wichita, Kansas; he was |
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awarded a scholarship to attend both Wichita State University and |
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the University of Nevada--Las Vegas, where he lettered in tennis |
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and graduated with degrees in business administration and hotel and |
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restaurant management; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Dekker went on to work as a professional tennis |
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coach, and after moving to Houston in 1994, he taught at the River |
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Oaks Country Club, coaching Zina Garrison, George Bush, and other |
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well-known clients; along the way, he became one of the early |
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promoters of paddle tennis in the United States, and he traveled the |
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world playing the sport competitively with the U.S. Padel Team; and |
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WHEREAS, This dynamic Texan was later hired as director of |
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racquet sports at the Houstonian Health Club and Spa, and in that |
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role he was able to initiate a number of charitable ventures, |
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including a diabetes fund-raiser and a mentoring program for foster |
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children; he also supported the classical music program at Rice |
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University as both a donor and fund-raiser and enjoyed attending |
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performances of the institution's opera students and its symphony |
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orchestra at venues all over the country; and |
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WHEREAS, After he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of |
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brain cancer in August 2013, Steve Dekker's courage, dignity, and |
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commitment to helping others did not waver, and throughout his |
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two-and-a-half-year battle, he devoted himself to advancing the |
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fight against cancer; he was given a seat on the MD Anderson Cancer |
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Center's Patient and Family Advisory Council, and he additionally |
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served as a strong and compassionate voice for patients on the |
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hospital's volunteer services and patient experience steering |
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committees; and |
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WHEREAS, Blessed with a loving family, Mr. Dekker enjoyed a |
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17-year relationship with Gregory Montelaro, with whom he exchanged |
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wedding vows in June 2015; he happily welcomed Mr. Montelaro's |
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children, Brett and Lauren, into his life as his own, and he was |
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further cherished by a wide circle of siblings, nieces, nephews, |
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and extended family, as well as a multitude of dear friends; his |
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youthful exuberance and contagious smile made an impression on |
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everyone he encountered, and his passion for sports and the |
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outdoors led him to some of his favorite pastimes, which included |
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running marathons, waterskiing, and snowboarding; and |
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WHEREAS, Though his journey ended far too soon, Steve Dekker |
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built a life that was extraordinarily rich in professional |
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achievements, in love and friendship, and in meaningful service to |
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others, and he will forever be remembered with tremendous affection |
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by those he leaves behind; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas |
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Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Steven Matthew |
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Dekker and extend heartfelt sympathy to all who mourn his passing; |
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and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of |
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Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Steve |
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Dekker. |
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Farrar |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 2308 was unanimously adopted by a |
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rising vote of the House on May 25, 2017. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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