R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, Raul Marquez of Houston has achieved outstanding 1-2 success in the sport of boxing, and his achievements are truly 1-3 worthy of special recognition; and 1-4 WHEREAS, A native of Mexico, Mr. Marquez moved to Texas and 1-5 settled in Houston in 1975, and he was a graduate of that city's 1-6 Northshore High School in 1989; with his father as his coach, he 1-7 began boxing at the age of seven and entered his first amateur 1-8 match in 1980; and 1-9 WHEREAS, During his 12-year amateur career, he compiled an 1-10 outstanding record of 139-10, winning two national championships, 1-11 two gold medals at the Olympic Festival, and a silver medal at the 1-12 Goodwill Games; in 1992, he proudly represented the United States 1-13 in the Olympics held in Barcelona, Spain, advancing to the 1-14 quarterfinal round; and 1-15 WHEREAS, Following the Olympics, Mr. Marquez began a highly 1-16 successful professional career, early on receiving the nickname "El 1-17 Diamante," the Spanish word for diamond; with his 1997 knockout of 1-18 Anthony Stephens, he earned the International Boxing Federation 1-19 Junior Middleweight World Title, which he successfully defended 1-20 twice; and 1-21 WHEREAS, Mr. Marquez is currently ranked fourth by the 1-22 International Boxing Federation and seventh by the World Boxing 1-23 Council and North American Boxing Federation, and he has continued 1-24 his quest to regain his title with a recent victory over Michael 2-1 Lerma in front of his hometown Houston fans, a triumph that ran his 2-2 overall record to a stellar 30-1; and 2-3 WHEREAS, In addition to boxing, Mr. Marquez, who is fluent in 2-4 both Spanish and English, contributes his considerable expertise as 2-5 a color commentator and has worked for several television networks; 2-6 and 2-7 WHEREAS, Throughout his career, he has drawn strength and 2-8 inspiration from his beloved wife, Mireya, with whom he has two 2-9 children, Arturo and Raul; he also receives invaluable support from 2-10 his father, Arturo, who serves as his trainer and manager, his 2-11 mother Yolanda, his brother Aldo, and his sister Veronica; and 2-12 WHEREAS, Raul Marquez has distinguished himself as a 2-13 remarkable pugilist, and it is indeed appropriate to pay tribute to 2-14 him at this time; now, therefore, be it 2-15 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas 2-16 Legislature hereby honor Raul Marquez for his significant athletic 2-17 achievements and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued 2-18 success and happiness; and, be it further 2-19 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-20 prepared for Mr. Marquez as an expression of high regard by the 2-21 Texas House of Representatives. Moreno of Harris _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 557 was adopted by the House on March 31, 1999, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House