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.