By Van de Putte                                       H.R. No. 1310
         76R18060 WMS-D                           
                                 R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, The San Antonio Spurs have achieved remarkable
 1-2     success during the 1999 NBA season, winning the Midwest Division
 1-3     title with a record of 37-13 and advancing to the conference finals
 1-4     for the fifth time in franchise history; and
 1-5           WHEREAS, A source of tremendous pride to all Alamo City
 1-6     residents, the Spurs have been a rallying point for the citizens of
 1-7     Bexar County for more than a quarter-century; and
 1-8           WHEREAS, Although the team started slowly in 1999 and were
 1-9     only 6-8 at the end of February, the Spurs quickly reversed their
1-10     fortunes and finished the regular season with the league's best
1-11     record, assuring them home-court advantage throughout the
1-12     postseason; and
1-13           WHEREAS, During the first two rounds of the NBA playoffs, San
1-14     Antonio won the series against the Minnesota Timberwolves 3-1 and
1-15     then swept the talented Los Angeles Lakers from postseason
1-16     contention in convincing fashion, 4-0; and
1-17           WHEREAS, The Spurs' division championship and playoff success
1-18     are a result of total commitment to the team concept by players
1-19     Antonio Daniels, Tim Duncan, Mario Elie, Sean Elliott, Andrew Gaze,
1-20     Jaren Jackson, Avery Johnson, Steve Kerr, Jerome Kersey, Gerard
1-21     King, Will Perdue, David Robinson, Malik Rose, and Brandon
1-22     Williams; and
1-23           WHEREAS, Throughout the course of the 1999 campaign the Spurs
1-24     received exceptional leadership and guidance from head coach Gregg
 2-1     Popovich, and he was ably assisted in his efforts by Hank Egan,
 2-2     Paul Pressey, and Mike Budenholzer; and
 2-3           WHEREAS, Members of the Spurs organization not only excel in
 2-4     their athletic endeavors, but also make a positive difference in
 2-5     the San Antonio community and all of South Texas through their
 2-6     myriad civic contributions and particularly their efforts in behalf
 2-7     of children; on May 28, 1999, the Spurs Foundation presented a
 2-8     record amount of approximately $101,000 to more than 23 South Texas
 2-9     charities; and
2-10           WHEREAS, The significant accomplishments of the players and
2-11     staff of the San Antonio Spurs are a credit to the city of San
2-12     Antonio, the State of Texas, and the National Basketball
2-13     Association, and it is indeed appropriate that they receive special
2-14     legislative recognition at this time; now, therefore, be it
2-15           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas
2-16     Legislature hereby congratulate the San Antonio Spurs on winning
2-17     the 1999 NBA Midwest Division championship and posting the league's
2-18     best record, and extend to the team sincere best wishes for
2-19     continued success in the Western Conference finals against the
2-20     Portland Trail Blazers; and, be it further
2-21           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-22     prepared for the San Antonio Spurs as an expression of high regard
2-23     by the Texas House of Representatives.