By Craddick                                           H.C.R. No. 43
         77R3248 GMW-D                           
                             HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
 1-1           WHEREAS, On December 16, 2000, the Midland Lee High School
 1-2     Rebels claimed the UIL Class 5A Division I state football
 1-3     championship, an impressive victory that earned the team its third
 1-4     state title in as many years; and
 1-5           WHEREAS, Skillfully led by Coach John Parchman, the Rebels
 1-6     garnered their third straight state triumph by knocking off the
 1-7     previously unbeaten Austin Westlake High School Chaparrals 33-21 at
 1-8     Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin; with the
 1-9     victory, Midland Lee finished the season with a 13-2 record and
1-10     earned the distinction of being the first Class 5A team to win
1-11     three state crowns in a row; and
1-12           WHEREAS, In the title game, the Rebels were paced by senior
1-13     running back Cedric Benson, who racked up a stellar 255 yards and,
1-14     just as in the previous two state wins, scored an astounding five
1-15     touchdowns; the talented back finished his high school career with
1-16     a staggering rushing total of 8,423 yards, the most ever for a
1-17     running back in Class 5A; and
1-18           WHEREAS, Midland Lee also received an outstanding performance
1-19     from quarterback Nick Hand, and the team's stingy defense stymied
1-20     Westlake's vaunted offensive attack, holding the Chaparrals to only
1-21     21 points, all of which were scored in the first half, and a meager
1-22     18 yards of total offense in the second half; and
1-23           WHEREAS, Winning three consecutive state Class 5A titles is
1-24     truly a remarkable athletic achievement, and it is a privilege to
 2-1     pay tribute to all the dedicated members and coaches of the Midland
 2-2     Lee High School Rebels 2000 football team for continuing the
 2-3     school's tradition of excellence; now, therefore, be it
 2-4           RESOLVED, That the 77th Legislature of the State of Texas
 2-5     hereby congratulate the 2000 Midland Lee High School football team
 2-6     on winning the school's third straight UIL Class 5A state title and
 2-7     extend to it sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it
 2-8     further
 2-9           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-10     prepared for the team's players and coaches as an expression of
2-11     high regard by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate.