1-1 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 578 1-2 WHEREAS, The inaugural season of the Western Professional 1-3 Hockey League has been completed, and the El Paso Buzzards have 1-4 captured the league's first championship; and 1-5 WHEREAS, After defeating the Austin Ice Bats in the opening 1-6 round of the playoffs, the Buzzards advanced to meet the West Texas 1-7 Stampede in the finals; El Paso defeated West Texas four games to 1-8 one in the best-of-seven series, winning the final game 5-2 in 1-9 dramatic come-from-behind fashion; and 1-10 WHEREAS, The Buzzards were seeded third entering the 1-11 playoffs, following a 22-3-1 surge to end the season, while the 1-12 rival Stampede held the fourth seed; West Texas displayed true 1-13 grit and determination in knocking off the top-ranked New Mexico 1-14 Scorpions, but the Buzzards and series Most Valuable Player 1-15 Chris MacKenzie proved too much for the Stampede; and 1-16 WHEREAS, The Western Professional Hockey League and its 1-17 host of outstanding hockey players have provided much excitement 1-18 for the citizens of Texas, and the success of the league's first 1-19 season has whet the appetites of the Lone Star State's many hockey 1-20 fans while making converts of many individuals previously unfamiliar 1-21 with this fast-paced sport; and 1-22 WHEREAS, With the completion of the first season, Texans 1-23 are eagerly awaiting the 1997-1998 campaign and the chance to once 2-1 again cheer their favorite teams to victory; now, therefore, be it 2-2 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 2-3 75th Legislature, hereby congratulate the El Paso Buzzards on 2-4 winning the inaugural championship of the Western Professional 2-5 Hockey League and extend to the members of this exemplary 2-6 organization sincere best wishes for continued success in the 2-7 years to come; and, be it further 2-8 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be 2-9 prepared for the members of the team and coaching staff as an 2-10 expression of high regard by the Texas Senate. 2-11 Shapleigh 2-12 ______________________________________ 2-13 President of the Senate 2-14 I hereby certify that the above 2-15 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 2-16 on April 24, 1997. 2-17 ______________________________________ 2-18 Secretary of the Senate 2-19 ______________________________________ 2-20 Member, Texas Senate