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