By: Wilson H.C.R. No. 66 73R3157 PAN-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is proud to honor 1-2 Spike Lee for his extraordinary contributions as an 1-3 African-American director 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 here, during the summer between his 1-12 sophomore and junior years, that Mr. Lee developed the love of film 1-13 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 House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas 2-14 Legislature hereby honor Spike Lee for his exceptional 2-15 contributions as a film director and his efforts to create a 2-16 climate that will ensure the dignity and basic human rights of all 2-17 citizens; and, be it further 2-18 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-19 prepared for Mr. Lee as an expression of high regard by the Texas 2-20 House of Representatives.