By:  Wilson                                           H.C.R. No. 48
       73R4404 WMS-D
                                 CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
    1-1        WHEREAS, The recent passing of Arthur Ashe on February 6,
    1-2  1993, at the age of 49, has brought a great loss to the many
    1-3  friends, relatives, and admirers of this renowned athlete and
    1-4  humanitarian; and
    1-5        WHEREAS, Born in Richmond, Virginia, in 1943, this remarkable
    1-6  individual confronted the frailty of the human condition at the age
    1-7  of six, when he endured the untimely death of his mother; and
    1-8        WHEREAS, A focused and determined young man, Mr. Ashe made
    1-9  his first mark on the world of tennis by winning the 1965 National
   1-10  Collegiate Athletics Association title while attending the
   1-11  University of California, Los Angeles, where he also earned a
   1-12  degree in business administration; and
   1-13        WHEREAS, The winner of more than 30 professional tennis
   1-14  titles over the course of his storied career, including three in
   1-15  Grand Slam events, Mr. Ashe was the first African-American male to
   1-16  hold aloft the victory cup at Wimbledon, winning the championship
   1-17  there in 1975, and was the first African-American member of the
   1-18  United States Davis Cup team; and
   1-19        WHEREAS, Although beset by severe cardiac ailments, this
   1-20  respected gentleman continued to have an impact on the world of
   1-21  tennis as an expert writer and television commentator and as
   1-22  captain of the United States Davis Cup team; and
   1-23        WHEREAS, Concerned with issues beyond the limited scope of
   1-24  athletics, Mr. Ashe was an articulate and fearless voice against
    2-1  bigotry and injustice, and his exemplary decency and fairness
    2-2  helped all those who knew him to more easily visualize a better
    2-3  world; and
    2-4        WHEREAS, Suffering the devastating effects of the AIDS virus,
    2-5  this inspirational man nonetheless focused his energies on the
    2-6  positive possibilities that life presents, encouraging those in
    2-7  even the most tragic circumstances to demand the best of
    2-8  themselves; and
    2-9        WHEREAS, Arthur Ashe was a man of rare warmth and integrity
   2-10  whose compassion eclipsed even his superlative athletic skills;
   2-11  although his strength and wisdom will be deeply missed, his
   2-12  remarkable spirit will surely live on in the hearts of the many
   2-13  people whose lives he touched; now, therefore, be it
   2-14        RESOLVED, That the 73rd Legislature of the State of Texas
   2-15  hereby honor the memory of Arthur Ashe and extend sincere sympathy
   2-16  to the members of his family:  to his wife, Jeanne Ashe; to his
   2-17  daughter, Camera Ashe; and to the many other friends and relatives
   2-18  of this beloved gentleman; and, be it further
   2-19        RESOLVED, That official copies of this resolution be prepared
   2-20  for the members of his family and that when the Texas House of
   2-21  Representatives and Senate adjourn this day, they do so in memory
   2-22  of Arthur Ashe.