By Goolsby                                             H.R. No. 691
         77R11713 MMS-D                           
                                 R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, Chuck Norris, martial arts champion, actor, and
 1-2     television producer, has made significant contributions to the Lone
 1-3     Star State through his work and public service; and
 1-4           WHEREAS, Proficient in all forms of the martial arts,
 1-5     Mr. Norris was awarded an eighth-degree black belt in Tae Kwan Do
 1-6     in 1996, becoming the first Westerner to achieve that rank; from
 1-7     1968 until his retirement from competition in 1974, he held the
 1-8     title of Professional World Middleweight Karate Champion; and
 1-9           WHEREAS, The year 1968 also marked Mr. Norris's debut as an
1-10     actor; thus far in his second notable career, Mr. Norris has made
1-11     more than 20 movies, 4 of them in Texas; since 1993 he has also
1-12     filmed the highly successful television series "Walker, Texas
1-13     Ranger" in the Lone Star State; and
1-14           WHEREAS, The production of "Walker" and the various
1-15     Texas-made movies has meant the hiring of hundreds of Texas workers
1-16     and actors and given a substantial economic boost to the locales
1-17     where filming has taken place; local spending during the eight
1-18     seasons of "Walker" is estimated at approximately $307 million; and
1-19           WHEREAS, Important as well is the intangible impact of this
1-20     entertainment on audiences, especially on younger viewers; in these
1-21     stories, decency and justice triumph, the heroes seek nonviolent
1-22     solutions, and, when the action scenes do roll around, the emphasis
1-23     falls on the exhibition of martial arts rather than on gratuitous
1-24     violence; and
 2-1           WHEREAS, Ten years ago Mr. Norris created a foundation called
 2-2     Kick Drugs Out of America, which seeks to build self-confidence and
 2-3     discipline in middle school students through martial arts training;
 2-4     the program, presently established in Houston and in Dallas and
 2-5     soon to begin in Chicago, provides equipment and instructors at no
 2-6     cost to the schools; and
 2-7           WHEREAS, Mr. Norris also gives generously of his time to
 2-8     numerous charities, including the Funds for Kids, the Make-a-Wish
 2-9     Foundation, and the Veterans Administration National Salute to
2-10     Hospitalized Veterans; he is the author of The Secret of Inner
2-11     Strength and The Secret Power Within: Zen Solutions to Real
2-12     Problems; and
2-13           WHEREAS, Mr. Norris has paid homage to a Texas tradition and
2-14     longtime Texas values with his portrayal of Walker, Texas Ranger,
2-15     and, through the material benefits derived from his filming in
2-16     Texas and through his efforts to instill self-respect and
2-17     self-discipline in children, he has contributed immeasurably to
2-18     this state; now, therefore, be it
2-19           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas
2-20     Legislature hereby recognize April 4, 2001, as Chuck Norris Day and
2-21     honor him for his lifetime achievements; and, be it further
2-22           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-23     prepared for Mr. Norris as an expression of high regard by the
2-24     Texas House of Representatives.