By Homer H.C.R. No. 301 77R17239 MJS-D HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-1 WHEREAS, On April 21, 2001, the St. Louis Rams selected 1-2 Damione Lewis of Sulphur Springs in the first round of the National 1-3 Football League (NFL) Draft; and 1-4 WHEREAS, The 12th player taken overall in the draft, 1-5 Mr. Lewis recently completed an outstanding football career at the 1-6 University of Miami in Coral Gables; and 1-7 WHEREAS, A 6-foot-3, 295-pound defensive lineman, Mr. Lewis 1-8 had a tremendous senior year for the Hurricanes despite playing 1-9 much of the 2000 season with a broken toe; he led Miami's linemen 1-10 in tackles, was tied for second on the team in quarterback sacks, 1-11 recorded seven tackles for losses, forced two fumbles, and broke up 1-12 three passes; and 1-13 WHEREAS, Voted by the coaching staff as the winner of Miami's 1-14 Defensive Lineman of the Year Award, Mr. Lewis was chosen 1-15 first-team All-Big East Conference and was named as a third-team 1-16 All-American by The Sporting News this season; moreover, he was 1-17 accorded the distinction of Outland Award Watch List candidate, an 1-18 accolade that is given to the nation's finest group of defensive 1-19 linemen; and 1-20 WHEREAS, He started in 42 of his 44 games at Miami and 1-21 finished his extraordinary career with 222 tackles, 92 solo 1-22 tackles, 130 assisted tackles, 31 tackles for losses, 65 1-23 quarterback hurries, 15.5 quarterback sacks, five forced fumbles, 1-24 and a fumble recovery; and 2-1 WHEREAS, Before attending Miami, he was a gridiron star at 2-2 Sulphur Springs High School, where he earned Texas Defensive Player 2-3 of the Year honors and was rated the top defensive lineman in the 2-4 country by SuperPrep Magazine; Mr. Lewis, who also was a standout 2-5 in track and field and basketball, was a two-year first-team 2-6 All-State selection for the Wildcats and helped them make three 2-7 consecutive appearances in the University Interscholastic League 2-8 Class 4A state football quarterfinals; and 2-9 WHEREAS, His high school achievements also included being 2-10 picked as a BlueChip Illustrated All-American and Dream Team 2-11 member, and playing in the Oil Bowl featuring high school football 2-12 all-stars from Texas and Oklahoma; and 2-13 WHEREAS, This fine athlete impressed scouts and coaches with 2-14 his toughness, tenacity, football savvy, and indomitable character; 2-15 a formidable competitor, Mr. Lewis has become a dominating player 2-16 on the field, and it is indeed most appropriate to pay tribute to 2-17 him; now, therefore, be it 2-18 RESOLVED, That the 77th Legislature of the State of Texas 2-19 hereby congratulate Damione Lewis for being selected by the St. 2-20 Louis Rams in the first round of the 2001 NFL Draft and extend to 2-21 him sincere best wishes for good fortune and happiness in his 2-22 future endeavors; and, be it further 2-23 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-24 prepared for Mr. Lewis as an expression of high regard by the Texas 2-25 House of Representatives and Senate.