By Goolsby                                             H.R. No. 821
         77R5466 WMS-D                           
                                 R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives joins with
 1-2     football fans across the state and nation in mourning the loss of
 1-3     legendary coach Tom Landry, who passed away on February 12, 2000,
 1-4     at the age of 75; and
 1-5           WHEREAS, A native of Mission, Texas, Mr. Landry was born
 1-6     September 11, 1924, and attended Mission High School, where he
 1-7     demonstrated an exceptional affinity for football as a quarterback,
 1-8     free safety, and fullback, and earned all-region distinction; and
 1-9           WHEREAS, He enrolled at The University of Texas but set aside
1-10     his studies to join the U.S. Army Air Corps; this patriotic
1-11     individual served his country with distinction during World War II,
1-12     flying 30 missions with the Eighth Air Force; and
1-13           WHEREAS, After completing military service he returned to the
1-14     Forty Acres where he excelled on both sides of the ball as a
1-15     defensive back and fullback for the Longhorns; an All-Southwest
1-16     Conference performer, he played an instrumental role in Texas'
1-17     victories in the 1948 Sugar Bowl and 1949 Orange Bowl; and
1-18           WHEREAS, Mr. Landry earned a bachelor's degree in business
1-19     from The University of Texas but remained focused on football; in
1-20     1949 he joined the New York Yankees of the All-American Football
1-21     Conference and moved to the New York Giants organization the
1-22     following year; and
1-23           WHEREAS, A stalwart for the Giants for several seasons,
1-24     Mr. Landry earned All-Pro honors as a player-coach in 1954; he
 2-1     turned his talents to coaching full-time in 1956, when he assumed
 2-2     responsibility for the Giants defense, and his innovative defensive
 2-3     schemes helped the team to an NFL title by overpowering the Chicago
 2-4     Bears 47-7; and
 2-5           WHEREAS, Mr. Landry moved with his family to Dallas in 1957,
 2-6     and in 1959 he was hired to be the head coach of the fledgling
 2-7     Dallas Cowboys team; and
 2-8           WHEREAS, Although the franchise endured a rocky start over
 2-9     its first few seasons, Mr. Landry's quiet determination and
2-10     visionary leadership ultimately helped build Dallas into a
2-11     perennial football power and championship contender, earning the
2-12     Cowboys the nickname "America's Team"; and
2-13           WHEREAS, During his 29-year tenure with the silver and blue,
2-14     Mr. Landry led the Cowboys to 270 wins, 13 division titles, and
2-15     five Super Bowl appearances, including victories over Miami in 1972
2-16     and Denver in 1978; and
2-17           WHEREAS, In 1990 he received one of the most prestigious of
2-18     gridiron honors when he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of
2-19     Fame, and on July 20, 1993, his contributions to the Dallas Cowboys
2-20     were forever enshrined by that organization with the unveiling of
2-21     his name alongside the silhouette of his trademark fedora at Texas
2-22     Stadium, signifying his induction into the Cowboys' Ring of Honor;
2-23     and
2-24           WHEREAS, Mr. Landry was a man of abiding faith and his
2-25     actions consistently reflected his boundless integrity, fairness,
2-26     and commitment to helping his fellowman; and
2-27           WHEREAS, Throughout the course of his life, Tom Landry set
 3-1     standards of excellence on and off the playing field which few can
 3-2     equal but to which all may aspire; his passing leaves a void in the
 3-3     world of sports that can truly never be filled, but his remarkable
 3-4     achievements as a coach and his legacy of fairness, honesty, and
 3-5     integrity will continue to inspire countless individuals for years
 3-6     to come; now, therefore, be it
 3-7           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas
 3-8     Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Tom Landry and extend
 3-9     sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his wife, Alicia
3-10     Wiggs Landry; to his son, Tom Landry, Jr., his wife, Clarke, and
3-11     their children, Taylor, Logan, and Tom Landry III; to his daughter,
3-12     Kitty Landry Phillips, her husband, Eddie, and their children, Ryan
3-13     and Jennifer Phillips; to his son-in-law, Gary Childress, and
3-14     granddaughter, Christina Childress, the husband and daughter of the
3-15     Landrys' late daughter, Lisa Landry Childress; and to the many
3-16     other friends, relatives, and admirers of this Lone Star legend;
3-17     and, be it further
3-18           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
3-19     prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
3-20     Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Tom
3-21     Landry.