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.