By Naishtat H.R. No. 49 76R4035 GMW-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, Ricky Williams has brought great honor to The 1-2 University of Texas at Austin and the Lone Star State, and it is 1-3 truly a privilege to bestow on this outstanding individual the 1-4 title of honorary Texan; and 1-5 WHEREAS, A native of San Diego, Mr. Williams moved to Texas 1-6 in 1995 when he became a student and football player at The 1-7 University of Texas at Austin; he had an unparalleled four-year 1-8 athletic career that garnered him a host of awards and the abiding 1-9 respect of his teammates, the residents of Austin, and legions of 1-10 college football fans across the state and nation; and 1-11 WHEREAS, This gifted athlete holds the record for most NCAA 1-12 Division I-A rushing yards with 6,279, was awarded the 1998 Heisman 1-13 Trophy, is the sole two-time recipient of the Doak Walker Award, 1-14 and claims 41 University of Texas records and 12 NCAA Division I-A 1-15 records as his own; and 1-16 WHEREAS, In addition to his athletic exploits, Mr. Williams 1-17 is also a highly valued member of the Austin community, where he 1-18 has donated countless hours of volunteer work at the Austin 1-19 Children's Hospital, as a school mentor, with Longhorn Crime 1-20 Stoppers, and for numerous other notable organizations; and 1-21 WHEREAS, Also deeply devoted to his family, Mr. Williams used 1-22 income from his job as a professional baseball player to relocate 1-23 his mother, Sandy, to Austin, and to pay for the educations of his 1-24 twin sister, Cassie, and younger sister, Nisey, who are also 2-1 attending The University of Texas at Austin; as a student, 2-2 Mr. Williams is an education major whose future plans include 2-3 teaching elementary school; and 2-4 WHEREAS, Although he was not born in Texas, Mr. Williams has 2-5 proven to be a truly exemplary resident whose inspirational 2-6 accomplishments both on and off the football field have made him a 2-7 beloved figure and more than worthy of his newly designated status 2-8 as an honorary Texan; now, therefore, be it 2-9 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas 2-10 Legislature hereby declare Ricky Williams an honorary Texan with 2-11 all the privileges and perquisites accorded those individuals 2-12 native to the Lone Star State and extend to him warmest best wishes 2-13 for continued good fortune and happiness in the future; and, be it 2-14 further 2-15 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-16 prepared to serve as formal proof of Mr. Williams's new status.