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.