In memory of Maverick Levertt Crawford III of San Antonio.

89(R) HR 1062 - Enrolled version - Bill Text

H.R. No. 1062

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, The State of Texas lost a remarkable champion for

the autism community with the passing of Maverick Levertt

Crawford III of San Antonio on August 23, 2024, at the age of 28;

and

WHEREAS, Born in San Antonio on April 14, 1996, Maverick

Crawford was the son of Vernita Wheeler and Maverick Crawford Sr.;

he was highly intelligent and possessed an amazing memory, and he

graduated with honors from Brooks Academy of Science and

Engineering; although he was diagnosed with severe autism spectrum

disorder and suffered from a number of other health issues, he

defied expectations and earned his associate's degree from

St. Philip's College; he went on to win the College of Public Policy

Most Outstanding Student Award at The University of Texas at San

Antonio, where he completed his bachelor's degree cum laude in

criminal justice and public administration; he received a master's

degree in social work from UT Arlington; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Crawford interned at the San Antonio State

Hospital as a high school student and worked at Texas Roadhouse and

Target; later, he was employed at Best Buy and the Tower of the

Americas and interned with U.S. Pretrial Services; he was dedicated

to making a positive difference in the lives of others and

encouraging them to celebrate their own uniqueness; he served as a

mentor to Lanier High School students and volunteered with children

at UTSA's autism center; moreover, he assisted the National

Alliance on Mental Illness Greater San Antonio in fighting the

stigma against seeking care; at the state level, he served on the

Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities; he made many valuable

contributions in the council's policy discussions, and his fellow

members greatly valued his kindness and friendship; he wrote a

memoir,
Overcoming the Odds
, and he loved to take walks while

listening to old-school music, especially the Bill Withers song

"Lovely Day" and Luther Vandross's "Superstar"; and

WHEREAS, Although Maverick Crawford's life ended far too

soon, he inspired innumerable people through his courage and

compassion, and he will forever hold a special place in their

hearts; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas

Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Maverick Levertt

Crawford III and extend sincere condolences to the members of his

family: to his father, Maverick Levertt Crawford Sr.; to his

mother, Vernita Marie Wheeler; to his aunts, Jeffrey Ann Wheeler

and Cynthia Yvonne Wheeler; to his siblings, Quentin Davon Wheeler,

Brittany Monique Crawford, and Shaneka Deshay Bruno; and to his

many 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 Maverick

Crawford.

Bernal

______________________________

Speaker of the House

I certify that H.R. No. 1062 was unanimously adopted by a

rising vote of the House on May 23, 2025.

______________________________

Chief Clerk of the House