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