By:  Ellis                                            S.R. No. 1282
    1-1                           SENATE RESOLUTION
    1-2        WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas takes pride in
    1-3  recognizing Hakeem Olajuwon, who was selected as the National
    1-4  Basketball Association's Most Valuable Player last year and has
    1-5  been nominated in 1995 for this year's title; and
    1-6        WHEREAS, The acclaimed 6'10" center for the Houston Rockets
    1-7  was the first player in National Basketball Association history
    1-8  to win Most Valuable Player, Defensive Player of the Year, and NBA
    1-9  Finals Most Valuable Player in the same season (1993-1994); and
   1-10        WHEREAS, Hakeem Olajuwon is the Houston Rockets' career
   1-11  leader in rebounding, defensive rebounding, steals, blocked
   1-12  shots, and free throw attempts and is the only player in National
   1-13  Basketball Association history to rank among the top ten in four
   1-14  different categories for three consecutive seasons; and
   1-15        WHEREAS, Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Hakeem arrived in the
   1-16  United States in 1980 to play for the University of Houston
   1-17  Cougars and was named the Southwest Conference Player of the
   1-18  Decade in the 1980s; he became an American citizen in 1993; and
   1-19        WHEREAS, Throughout his career as the center for the Houston
   1-20  Rockets, Hakeem has displayed remarkable leadership, talent, and
   1-21  dedication; and
   1-22        WHEREAS, A leader in his community, he has given generously
   1-23  of his time to the National Stroke Association and the American
    2-1  Cancer Society; he has also contributed significantly to the
    2-2  Nigerian Foundation; and
    2-3        WHEREAS, An extraordinary athlete, Hakeem Olajuwon is
    2-4  renowned throughout the world for his prowess as the center
    2-5  for the Houston Rockets, and he is a tremendous source of pride
    2-6  to his team, the City of Houston, and the State of Texas; now,
    2-7  therefore, be it
    2-8        RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
    2-9  74th Legislature, hereby commend Hakeem Olajuwon on his
   2-10  exceptional career and extend congratulations to him on the
   2-11  many honors he has earned; and, be it further
   2-12        RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared
   2-13  for him as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate.
   2-14                               ______________________________________
   2-15                                       President of the Senate
   2-16                                    I hereby certify that the above
   2-17                               Resolution was adopted by the Senate
   2-18                               on May 27, 1995.
   2-19                               ______________________________________
   2-20                                       Secretary of the Senate
   2-21                               ______________________________________
   2-22                                        Member, Texas Senate