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.