By Bonnen H.R. No. 247 75R7891 JTR-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, February 27, 1997, marks the 49th birthday of our 1-2 esteemed friend and colleague the Honorable Tommy Merritt, and we 1-3 join his family and friends in celebrating this noteworthy 1-4 milestone; and 1-5 WHEREAS, While many new lawmakers typically seek to make 1-6 themselves known through their legislative efforts and work in 1-7 committee, Representative Merritt enjoyed immediate and widespread 1-8 recognition due to his unique and daring hairstyle, and he has led 1-9 even tonsorially conservative members to ponder the potential 1-10 advantage of using one's coiffure as a calling card; and 1-11 WHEREAS, It would be misleading, however, to say that 1-12 Mr. Merritt lets his hair speak for him, since this is a privilege 1-13 he reserves for himself; an avid and rapid conversationalist, he 1-14 has been known to engage even fence posts and domestic animals in 1-15 spirited argument, and it is rumored that modern fiber-optic 1-16 telecommunications technology was developed in order to accommodate 1-17 the sheer volume of his typical conversation; and 1-18 WHEREAS, The founder of one of the top three girls' 1-19 basketball tournaments in the nation, Representative Merritt 1-20 recently attempted to form an all-legislator basketball team, but 1-21 his efforts were thwarted when the State Preservation Board denied 1-22 his request to install a hoop above the speaker's podium; and 1-23 WHEREAS, An avid sportsman as well, Representative Merritt is 1-24 respected and feared by ducks across the Lone Star State, and when 2-1 not out pursuing this elusive prey, he enjoys supporting the 2-2 athletic teams of his alma mater, Texas Christian University; 2-3 fortunately for the Horned Frogs, Representative Merritt is the 2-4 proud owner and driver of the invincible Super Gas Dragster "Door 2-5 Slammer," which enables him to close the distance between Austin 2-6 and Fort Worth at approximately warp speed; and 2-7 WHEREAS, The spirit of fun in which this tribute is intended 2-8 in no way diminishes the affection and respect his colleagues feel 2-9 for Representative Merritt, and the warm congratulations we offer 2-10 him at this auspicious juncture in his life are indeed heartfelt; 2-11 now, therefore, be it 2-12 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas 2-13 Legislature hereby congratulate the Honorable Tommy Merritt on the 2-14 occasion of his 49th birthday and extend to him sincere best wishes 2-15 for continued success and happiness in the years to come; and, be 2-16 it further 2-17 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-18 prepared for Representative Merritt as an expression of high regard 2-19 by his colleagues in the Texas House of Representatives.