By McClendon H.R. No. 764 75R8511 WMS-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is proud to honor 1-2 Vinny Del Negro of the San Antonio Spurs for his athletic 1-3 accomplishments and his many contributions to the community; and 1-4 WHEREAS, Playing college basketball at North Carolina State 1-5 University, Mr. Del Negro rose to stardom by his senior season, 1-6 when he was named to the All Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) team 1-7 and was chosen as most valuable player in the ACC tournament; and 1-8 WHEREAS, He was selected by the Sacramento Kings in the 1-9 second round of the 1988 NBA draft and appeared in 156 games for 1-10 the Kings during the next two seasons before taking his 1-11 considerable talents to Europe; in Italy, Mr. Del Negro was a star 1-12 player for Benetton Treviso and earned most valuable player of the 1-13 Italian League Playoffs while leading his club to the A League 1-14 title; and 1-15 WHEREAS, Mr. Del Negro joined the Spurs in 1992 and played 1-16 point guard for his first two seasons with the organization; his 1-17 exceptional accuracy from the outside enabled him to move to the 1-18 shooting guard position, where he has been a vital part of the 1-19 Spurs team; and 1-20 WHEREAS, Also active in a variety of worthy community 1-21 projects, he takes special pride in the work of the Vinny Del Negro 1-22 Endowment Fund, which aids abused youth, and he has also teamed up 1-23 with fellow Spurs player Avery Johnson to establish The All-Star 1-24 Connection 4 San Antonio, an organization whose goal is to raise 2-1 funds for local charities and schools; and 2-2 WHEREAS, In recognition of his off-the-court achievements, he 2-3 was one of five professional athletes honored by USA Weekend with a 2-4 Most Caring Athlete Award in 1994; and 2-5 WHEREAS, He has been supported in all his many endeavors by 2-6 his devoted wife, Lynn, with whom he has shared his successes and 2-7 aspirations; and 2-8 WHEREAS, Vinny Del Negro has achieved a remarkable level of 2-9 athletic success as a member of the San Antonio Spurs, and his 2-10 willingness to share the fruits of his success with members of the 2-11 community makes him truly worthy of special legislative recognition 2-12 at this time; now, therefore, be it 2-13 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas 2-14 Legislature hereby commend Vinny Del Negro of the San Antonio Spurs 2-15 for his exceptional accomplishments, both on the basketball court 2-16 and as a positive force in the community; and, be it further 2-17 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-18 prepared for Vinny Del Negro as an expression of high regard by the 2-19 Texas House of Representatives.