Honoring Martha Thomas and The Defensive Line for their efforts to prevent youth suicide.

89(R) HR 962 - Enrolled version - Bill Text

H.R. No. 962

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, The Defensive Line is a nonprofit organization

dedicated to suicide prevention, and the group's cofounder and

chief education officer, Martha Thomas, is visiting the Capitol on

May 1, 2025; and

WHEREAS, A resident of Coppell, Mrs. Thomas helped establish

The Defensive Line in 2021 after the tragic suicide of her

24-year-old daughter, Ella, in January 2018; cofounded with her

husband, Chris Thomas, and their son, Dallas Cowboys defensive

lineman Solomon Thomas, The Defensive Line seeks to end the

epidemic of youth suicide, especially for young people of color, by

transforming the way we communicate and connect about mental

health; and

WHEREAS, After working in education for more than 30 years,

Mrs. Thomas left teaching in 2022 to devote herself full-time to The

Defensive Line; drawing on her insights into the realities of the

classroom, she educates participants about suicide prevention

through the organization's workshops, which guide teachers and

leaders through the facts of youth suicide, particularly for people

of color, and prepare them to address mental health crises,

initiate difficult conversations, develop an action plan, and

create a safe environment; Mrs. Thomas has led programming

partnerships in the Dallas and Fort Worth Independent School

Districts and at Baylor University and Stanford University, and she

is a popular podcast guest and keynote speaker; she and her husband

serve as faculty members of the American Academy of Pediatrics and

are involved with Project ECHO, its telementoring program; and

WHEREAS, The Defensive Line has called much-needed attention

to the issue of youth suicide and to the actions that can be taken to

help save lives, and it is a pleasure to join in recognizing Martha

Thomas and her colleagues for their steadfast commitment to this

worthy cause; now, therefore, be it

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

Legislature hereby honor Martha Thomas and The Defensive Line for

their efforts to prevent youth suicide and extend to all those

affiliated with the organization sincere best wishes for continued

success with their important work; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

prepared for Mrs. Thomas as an expression of high regard by the

Texas House of Representatives.

Garcia Hernandez

______________________________

Speaker of the House

I certify that H.R. No. 962 was adopted by the House on June

1, 2025, by a non-record vote.

______________________________

Chief Clerk of the House