1-1 ****** NEED TWO-PAGE HEADER ****** 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 36 1-3 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas takes pride in 1-4 recognizing Laura Wilkinson, of The Woodlands, for her recent 1-5 victory in the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia; 1-6 and 1-7 WHEREAS, The 22-year-old Montgomery County resident exemplified 1-8 one of the more improbable stories in United States Olympic history 1-9 when she came from behind in fifth place midway through the finals 1-10 to capture the gold medal in the women's 10-meter platform diving 1-11 competition; and 1-12 WHEREAS, Still recovering from a training accident in the 1-13 spring that left her with a bone callus on her right foot, Laura 1-14 nailed a near-perfect two-and-one-half somersault reverse tuck 1-15 in the third round; after an inward two-and-one-half pike in 1-16 the fourth round extended her lead, she won the gold in her 1-17 final round; and 1-18 WHEREAS, Throughout the event, Laura displayed her 1-19 characteristic composure and mental discipline, and encouraged 1-20 by her talented coach, Kenny Armstrong, she overcame adversity 2-1 and completed the rounds with a first-class performance, becoming 2-2 the first United States woman to win the gold medal in her sport 2-3 since 1964; and 2-4 WHEREAS, A tremendously gifted athlete and an exemplary young 2-5 woman, Laura is a star competitor and a model of determination, 2-6 and her outstanding accomplishments are a source of much pride 2-7 to her family, community, and state; now, therefore, be it 2-8 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 2-9 77th Legislature, hereby commend Laura Wilkinson on her 2-10 exceptional performance in the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games and 2-11 extend to her best wishes for the future; and, be it further 2-12 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for her 2-13 as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate. 2-14 Bernsen 2-15 ______________________________________ 2-16 President of the Senate 2-17 I hereby certify that the above 2-18 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 2-19 on January 17, 2001. 2-20 ______________________________________ 2-21 Secretary of the Senate 2-22 ______________________________________ 2-23 Member, Texas Senate