H.C.R. No. 66 HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-1 WHEREAS, The Texas Legislature is proud to honor Spike Lee 1-2 for his extraordinary contributions as an African-American director 1-3 and social commentator; and 1-4 WHEREAS, A native of Brooklyn, New York, this celebrated 1-5 filmmaker received an early grounding in the arts from his mother, 1-6 Jacquelyn, who often took him to performances at Radio City Music 1-7 Hall, Broadway shows, and weekly matinees at the Lido Theater; and 1-8 WHEREAS, After high school, Mr. Lee followed in the footsteps 1-9 of his father, noted jazz musician Bill Lee, and attended Morehouse 1-10 College in Atlanta, where his father had been a classmate of Dr. 1-11 Martin Luther King, Jr.; it was there, during the summer between 1-12 his sophomore and junior years, that Mr. Lee developed the love of 1-13 film that would lead to his life's work; and 1-14 WHEREAS, Following his graduation from Morehouse College, 1-15 Mr. Lee continued his education at New York University's film 1-16 school, where he won a student academy award for his senior thesis 1-17 film, Joe's Bed-Stuy Barbershop: We Cut Heads; and 1-18 WHEREAS, His first feature film, She's Gotta Have It, which 1-19 came out in August 1986, was entered in the Cannes Film Festival 1-20 that same year and was followed in close succession by a series of 1-21 widely acclaimed films over the course of the next five years; and 1-22 WHEREAS, Having earned a devoted following with the films 1-23 School Daze in 1988, Do The Right Thing in 1989, Mo' Better Blues 1-24 in 1990, and Jungle Fever in 1991, Mr. Lee next took on the project 2-1 of a lifetime in his attempt to tell the life story of Malcolm X, 2-2 one of the most controversial figures of the 20th century; and 2-3 WHEREAS, Defying daunting odds, Mr. Lee worked diligently to 2-4 craft an interpretation of this respected leader's life that could 2-5 do justice to the man who has so profoundly influenced the lives of 2-6 people the world over; and 2-7 WHEREAS, Blessed with a unique gift, Spike Lee has used his 2-8 talent to promote better understanding among the thousands of 2-9 moviegoers who have been touched by the spirit of his work; a man 2-10 of rare commitment, he is indeed worthy of special recognition and 2-11 praise for his continuing contributions in this regard; now, 2-12 therefore, be it 2-13 RESOLVED, That the 73rd Texas Legislature hereby honor Spike 2-14 Lee for his exceptional contributions as a film director and his 2-15 efforts to create a climate that will ensure the dignity and basic 2-16 human rights of all citizens; and, be it further 2-17 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-18 prepared for Mr. Lee as an expression of high regard by the Texas 2-19 Legislature. 2-20 Legislature. 2-21 Wilson 2-22 H.C.R. No. 66 2-23 _______________________________ _______________________________ 2-24 President of the Senate Speaker of the House 2-25 I certify that H.C.R. No. 66 was adopted by the House on 2-26 March 11, 1993, by a non-record vote. 2-27 _______________________________ 3-1 Chief Clerk of the House 3-2 I certify that H.C.R. No. 66 was adopted by the Senate on May 3-3 27, 1993. 3-4 _______________________________ 3-5 Secretary of the Senate 3-6 APPROVED: _____________________ 3-7 Date 3-8 _____________________ 3-9 Governor