By Serna H.R. No. 678 75R12344 JHS-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The inaugural season of the Western Professional 1-2 Hockey League (WPHL) has been completed, and the El Paso Buzzards 1-3 have captured the league's first championship; and 1-4 WHEREAS, After defeating the Austin Ice Bats in the opening 1-5 round of the playoffs, the Buzzards advanced to meet the West Texas 1-6 Stampede in the finals; El Paso defeated West Texas four games to 1-7 one in the best-of-seven series, winning the final game 5-2 in 1-8 dramatic come-from-behind fashion; and 1-9 WHEREAS, The Buzzards were seeded third entering the 1-10 playoffs, following a 22-3-1 surge to end the season, while the 1-11 rival Stampede held the fourth seed; West Texas displayed true grit 1-12 and determination in knocking off the top-ranked New Mexico 1-13 Scorpions, but the Buzzards and series Most Valuable Player Chris 1-14 MacKenzie proved too much for the Stampede; and 1-15 WHEREAS, The WPHL and its host of outstanding hockey players 1-16 have provided much excitement for the citizens of Texas, and the 1-17 success of the league's first season has whet the appetites of the 1-18 Lone Star State's many hockey fans while making converts of many 1-19 individuals previously unfamiliar with this fast-paced sport; and 1-20 WHEREAS, With the completion of the first season, Texans are 1-21 eagerly awaiting the 1997-1998 campaign and the chance to once 1-22 again cheer their favorite teams to victory; now, therefore, be it 1-23 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas 1-24 Legislature hereby congratulate the El Paso Buzzards on winning the 2-1 inaugural championship of the Western Professional Hockey League 2-2 and extend to the members of this exemplary organization sincere 2-3 best wishes for continued success in the years to come; and, be it 2-4 further 2-5 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-6 prepared for the members of the team and coaching staff as an 2-7 expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.