By Dukes H.R. No. 34
Line and page numbers may not match official copy.
Bill not drafted by TLC or Senate E&E.
R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, Ricky Williams of The University of Texas at Austin
1-2 has claimed college football's highest accolade, the Heisman
1-3 Trophy, and this well-deserved honor is an appropriate capstone to
1-4 his phenomenal career as a running back for the Texas Longhorns,
1-5 although his off-the-field efforts have proven equally important in
1-6 defining this caring and generous individual; and
1-7 WHEREAS, During his freshman and sophomore seasons,
1-8 Mr. Williams shared the rushing duties for the Longhorns with
1-9 talented teammates Shon Mitchell and Priest Holmes; nonetheless,
1-10 his astonishing combination of speed, quickness, strength, and
1-11 field awareness drew acclaim from football afficionados across the
1-12 nation; and
1-13 WHEREAS, Mr. Williams became the centerpiece of the Texas
1-14 offensive attack in his junior campaign and led Division 1-A in
1-15 both scoring and yards rushing for the 1997 season and was tabbed
1-16 as Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year; and
1-17 WHEREAS, Mr. Williams also won the Doak Walker Award in
1-18 1997, and after the ceremony he developed a deep friendship with
1-19 Mr. Walker, a former Heisman Trophy winner from Southern Methodist
1-20 University, who passed away early in the 1998 season; as a tribute
1-21 to his friend, Ricky Williams wore Walker's collegiate jersey
2-1 number "37" during the 1998 Texas-Oklahoma game at the Cotton Bowl
2-2 in Dallas, which is known as "the House That Doak Built"; and
2-3 WHEREAS, Forgoing the certainty of a multimillion dollar
2-4 contract with the NFL, Ricky returned for his senior season with
2-5 the Longhorns with the lofty goals of becoming the leading career
2-6 rusher in Division 1-A history and winning the Heisman Trophy; and
2-7 WHEREAS, Mr. Williams pursued Tony Dorsett's rushing record
2-8 throughout the course of the 1998 campaign, and in the season
2-9 finale against archrival Texas A&M University, he became the
2-10 Division 1-A career rushing leader on an electrifying 60-yard
2-11 touchdown run in the first quarter and led Texas to a thrilling
2-12 26-24 victory; his remarkable collegiate career was punctuated when
2-13 the Longhorns rolled over Mississippi State in the Cotton Bowl
2-14 38-11, behind his two touchdowns, 203 rushing yards, and 45
2-15 receiving yards; and
2-16 WHEREAS, Off the football field, actions truly speak louder
2-17 than words for the soft-spoken Mr. Williams, who has visited
2-18 children's hospitals around the country during his four-year
2-19 college career and dreams of one day becoming a teacher; indeed, it
2-20 has sometimes been difficult to tell which he has enjoyed more,
2-21 sharing time with ill or at-risk youngsters or breaking tackles and
2-22 galloping into the end zone to extend his NCAA touchdown record;
2-23 and
2-24 WHEREAS, Whether he is mentoring students at Campbell
2-25 Elementary School or playing touch football with neighborhood kids,
3-1 Ricky seeks to set a positive example for all children,
3-2 particularly minority and underprivileged youths; he revels in his
3-3 role as a father figure and works hard to make himself available to
3-4 the public and to use his undeniable influence to effect
3-5 affirmative change; and
3-6 WHEREAS, In recognition of his achievements, which include 16
3-7 NCAA records and 41 University of Texas records, Mr. Williams
3-8 received virtually every accolade a collegiate running back can be
3-9 awarded at the end of his senior season, including his second
3-10 consecutive Doak Walker Award and the Maxwell Award; in addition,
3-11 he was named Player of the Year by the Associated Press, The
3-12 Sporting News, and the Walter Camp Foundation, and was the Football
3-13 News Offensive Player of the Year; and
3-14 WHEREAS, On December 12, 1998, at the Downtown Athletic Club
3-15 in New York City, Ricky Williams joined the elite fraternity in
3-16 college football when he was named the 1998 Heisman Trophy Winner,
3-17 becoming only the second Texas Longhorn ever to win that coveted
3-18 trophy; and
3-19 WHEREAS, This reluctant superstar has accepted his celebrity
3-20 status, but he remains at heart a family man, devoted to his
3-21 mother, Sandy, and his sisters, Cassandra and Rebecca, and the
3-22 entire family takes tremendous pride in his athletic exploits and
3-23 his active community service; and
3-24 WHEREAS, In this day and age, athletes with Ricky Williams's
3-25 combination of skill and moral fiber are a breath of fresh air, and
4-1 this unique individual is most deserving of the many awards and
4-2 accolades that he has received; he is the source of much enjoyment
4-3 and enthusiasm among his legion of fans, and it is quite a
4-4 testament to his character that he has accomplished so much while
4-5 staying true to himself and his ideals; and
4-6 WHEREAS, Ricky Williams's myriad accomplishments during the
4-7 course of his stellar four-year career with The University of Texas
4-8 at Austin, both on and off the field of play, have earned him
4-9 legendary status in the pantheon of Longhorn football heroes and
4-10 established standards to which all student athletes can aspire;
4-11 now, therefore, be it
4-12 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas
4-13 Legislature hereby congratulate Ricky Williams for his
4-14 extraordinary athletic achievements, including setting the all-time
4-15 NCAA Division 1-A career rushing, touchdown, and all-purpose
4-16 yardage records, and winning the 1998 Heisman Trophy; and, be it
4-17 further
4-18 RESOLVED, That the house also pay tribute to Mr. Williams for
4-19 his exemplary service to the Austin community, to the Lone Star
4-20 State, and to citizens across the country and commend him for
4-21 embracing his status as a role model; and, be it further
4-22 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
4-23 prepared for Mr. Williams as an expression of highest regard by the
4-24 Texas House of Representatives.