R E S O L U T I O N

 1-1           WHEREAS, The Industrial High School boys' basketball team is

 1-2     to be commended for its exceptional season and for providing

 1-3     longtime Cobra fans with many great memories and a future bright

 1-4     with promise; and

 1-5           WHEREAS, The 1996-97 Region IV champions, the Cobras soundly

 1-6     defeated a talented Ganado High School team in the regional final

 1-7     by a score of 50-37, gaining momentum for the Class 2A State

 1-8     Championship tournament; the team's impressive semifinal triumph

 1-9     over Tahoka High School earned them a shot at the Italy High School

1-10     Gladiators and brought them one step closer to the coveted state

1-11     title; and

1-12           WHEREAS, The Cobras were able to keep the first half of the

1-13     final game at their preferred slowed-down pace, and the team went

1-14     into halftime with a 29-26 lead; the Gladiators, however, turned up

1-15     the energy in the second half and used their relentless full-court

1-16     press to wear down the Cobras, escaping with a 71-63 victory; and

1-17           WHEREAS, Head Coach Jeff Merchant has schooled his young

1-18     players in hardcourt fundamentals while emphasizing the importance

1-19     of teamwork and sportsmanship both on and off the court; assistant

1-20     coaches Jim Green and Tim Cotton and team managers John Hicks,

1-21     James Soto, Kevin Eller, Conrad Franz, Jonathon Goss, and Chuck

1-22     Easter provided additional support to the Cobras and contributed

1-23     greatly to the team's amazing 33-5 season record; and

1-24           WHEREAS, Dedication to excellence both individually and as a

 2-1     team has been a hallmark of the Cobras, whose members include

 2-2     Brandon Karl, Tony Snyder, Sonny Giesalhart, Clarke Wells, Roy

 2-3     Pilgrim, William Lumpkins, Jesse Rodriguez, Ashley Jalufka, Warren

 2-4     Green, Brandon Green, and Brandon Tomas; and

 2-5           WHEREAS, These talented young men, as well as their coaches

 2-6     and staff, are a tremendous source of pride for the students and

 2-7     faculty of Industrial High School and their many supporters in

 2-8     Jackson County, and their fine season and outstanding effort in the

 2-9     Class 2A State Championship Final has rightfully earned them

2-10     special legislative recognition; now, therefore, be it

2-11           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas

2-12     Legislature hereby congratulate Head Coach Jeff Merchant and the

2-13     Industrial High School Cobras on their exceptional season and

2-14     extend to them sincere best wishes for continued success and

2-15     happiness in the years to come; and, be it further

2-16           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

2-17     prepared for the team and coaching staff as an expression of high

2-18     regard by the Texas House of Representatives.

                                                                      Seaman

                                                                 Holzheauser

                                             _______________________________

                                                   Speaker of the House

               I certify that H.R. No. 528 was adopted by the House on April

         9, 1997, by a non-record vote.

                                             _______________________________

                                                 Chief Clerk of the House