By Coleman H.R. No. 696
76R13019 WMS-D
R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is proud to honor
1-2 Clyde Drexler for his dedication to his alma mater and his loyalty
1-3 to the city of Houston; and
1-4 WHEREAS, A highly recruited high school player at Houston
1-5 Ross Sterling, Mr. Drexler pursued his collegiate career in his
1-6 hometown when he joined the University of Houston Cougars and
1-7 became the highest flyer in "Phi Slamma Jamma," Texas' tallest
1-8 fraternity; and
1-9 WHEREAS, Nicknamed Clyde "The Glide" for his silky-smooth,
1-10 acrobatic moves to the hoop, Mr. Drexler led the Cougars to two
1-11 Final Four appearances in 1982 and 1983 and earned individual
1-12 distinction as a first team All-American and the United States
1-13 Basketball Writer's Association District VI Player of the Year in
1-14 1983; and
1-15 WHEREAS, Mr. Drexler amassed a number of records while at the
1-16 University of Houston and remains the school's all-time career
1-17 steal leader with 268 steals; in addition, he is the only Cougar
1-18 ever to accumulate 1,000 points, 900 rebounds, 300 assists, and 250
1-19 steals; and
1-20 WHEREAS, The 14th player taken in the 1983 NBA draft, he
1-21 joined the Portland Trailblazers and quickly became one of the
1-22 league's dominant forces; over the next 15 seasons he was selected
1-23 to 10 NBA All-Star teams and in 1992 he was named All-NBA First
1-24 Team and was runner-up for the NBA's most valuable player award;
2-1 and
2-2 WHEREAS, Although he carried the Trailblazers to the NBA
2-3 Finals in 1990 and 1992, Mr. Drexler did not claim the coveted
2-4 championship ring until he returned to Houston to join the Rockets;
2-5 together with former Cougar teammate Hakeem "The Dream" Olajuwon,
2-6 Drexler helped the Rockets claim their second consecutive NBA title
2-7 in 1995; and
2-8 WHEREAS, Retiring from the Rockets in 1998, Clyde "The Glide"
2-9 completed his storied NBA career as the league's 17th all-time
2-10 scorer and was fourth all-time in steals; he also joined legendary
2-11 hoops heroes Oscar Robertson and John Havlicek as the only NBA
2-12 players to amass 20,000 points, 6,000 rebounds, and 6,000 assists
2-13 in their careers; and
2-14 WHEREAS, Mr. Drexler's rightful place in the pantheon of
2-15 basketball superstars was assured when he was named one of the
2-16 NBA's 50 greatest players, and he was also selected to represent
2-17 his country as a member of America's "Dream Team" at the 1992
2-18 Olympics in Barcelona, Spain; and
2-19 WHEREAS, On completing his years as a professional player, he
2-20 became the head basketball coach at his alma mater, and under his
2-21 able leadership the Houston Cougars will no doubt emerge as one of
2-22 college basketball's elite teams; and
2-23 WHEREAS, By returning to Houston to share the fruits of his
2-24 success with the community where his athletic career began,
2-25 Mr. Drexler has set an inspirational example that has made his
2-26 fellow Texans proud; and
2-27 WHEREAS, Clyde Drexler has achieved a level of success in the
3-1 sport of basketball to which all may aspire but that only a select
3-2 few will attain, and it is indeed appropriate that he be honored
3-3 for his extraordinary contributions at this time; now, therefore,
3-4 be it
3-5 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas
3-6 Legislature hereby commend Clyde Drexler for his decision to coach
3-7 at the University of Houston and extend to him sincere best wishes
3-8 for continued success and happiness; and, be it further
3-9 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
3-10 prepared for Mr. Drexler as an expression of highest regard by the
3-11 Texas House of Representatives.