R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is proud to 1-2 recognize Lone Star native John Arthur "Jack" Johnson of Galveston, 1-3 the first African American to win the world heavyweight boxing 1-4 championship, for his immense talent and courage; and 1-5 WHEREAS, Born March 31, 1878, Mr. Johnson became interested 1-6 in boxing as a teenager while working at a local gymnasium; after 1-7 sharpening his skills, this talented athlete fought more than 100 1-8 fights in three decades, posting fewer than a dozen losses against 1-9 fearsome competition; and 1-10 WHEREAS, At a time when other recognized American boxers 1-11 refused to meet him in the ring because of his color, Mr. Johnson 1-12 initially competed overseas, defeating Canadian Tommy Burns in 1-13 Australia in 1908 to become heavyweight champion of the world; his 1-14 bout two years later against fellow American Jim "The Great White 1-15 Hope" Jeffries has been called one of the greatest boxing matches 1-16 of all time, and ended with Mr. Johnson scoring a knockout in the 1-17 15th round; and 1-18 WHEREAS, He successfully defended his title against such 1-19 other formidable challengers as Stanley Ketchel and Jim Flynn, 1-20 holding the heavyweight crown until 1915, and continued to 1-21 participate in exhibition matches as late as 1945; and 1-22 WHEREAS, Already a hero for saving lives during the deadly 1-23 Galveston hurricane in 1900, this admirable Texan demonstrated 1-24 praiseworthy personal courage again in World War I; he was in Spain 2-1 when the United States entered the war, and he immediately 2-2 contacted the United States Embassy in Madrid to offer his services 2-3 to his country; his involvement in the region's military 2-4 intelligence operations helped to prevent German U-boat crews from 2-5 infiltrating the Spanish coast; and 2-6 WHEREAS, Jack Johnson was tragically killed in a car crash in 2-7 1946, and the loss of this legendary figure was felt by a great 2-8 many people; one of the Lone Star State's greatest athletes, he was 2-9 immortalized in 1954 when he was posthumously inducted into the 2-10 Boxing Hall of Fame, and he is indeed deserving of legislative 2-11 commendation for his incredible legacy of achievements; now, 2-12 therefore, be it 2-13 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas 2-14 Legislature hereby recognize March 31, 2001, as Jack A. Johnson Day 2-15 and encourage all Texans to honor this outstanding champion. Eiland _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 711 was adopted by the House on May 11, 2001, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House