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.