1-1 1 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 163 1-3 In Memory 1-4 of 1-5 Richard Lee Marler 1-6 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins the 1-7 citizens of Port Arthur in mourning the death of beloved high 1-8 school football coach and community leader Richard Lee Marler, 1-9 who died November 22, 2000; and 1-10 WHEREAS, Born August 5, 1943, in Floydada, Richard proved 1-11 himself a sports enthusiast early in life; as a student at 1-12 Floydada High School, Richard lettered in football, basketball, 1-13 tennis, and track and was also all-district in football; and 1-14 WHEREAS, Richard went on to run track at McMurry College 1-15 before ultimately graduating with his bachelor's degree from 1-16 Texas Tech University in 1966; he began his coaching career 1-17 the following year; and 1-18 WHEREAS, Richard served as a head football coach in 1-19 Port Arthur Independent School District for 25 years; during 1-20 his 23 years at Stephen F. Austin High School, he maintained a 1-21 tight-knit coaching team and rose to prominence by leading his 2-1 boys to the playoffs 10 times, five of them consecutive; while 2-2 coaching at Stephen F. Austin he created the annual Golden 2-3 Triangle Coaching Clinic; and 2-4 WHEREAS, The final two years of his career, Richard worked 2-5 hard to transform struggling players at Thomas Jefferson High 2-6 School into a team that ultimately made it to the playoffs in 2-7 2000; and 2-8 WHEREAS, Widely regarded as a Southeast Texas coaching 2-9 superstar, Richard was recognized many times for his considerable 2-10 abilities; among his many honors, Richard was named District 2-11 Coach of the Year four times and Golden Triangle Coach of the 2-12 Year twice; he also received the high honor of being inducted 2-13 into the Southeast Texas Coaches Association Hall of Honor and 2-14 the Texas High School Coaches Hall of Fame; and 2-15 WHEREAS, Later in life, Richard took an active role in 2-16 promoting the well-being of young Texans on a statewide level, 2-17 serving on the Governor's Commission for Juvenile Justice and 2-18 Delinquent Prevention and on the Governor's Commission for 2-19 Physical Fitness; he also served on the Port Arthur Mayor's 2-20 Umbrella Committee for At-Risk Students; and 2-21 WHEREAS, While it is impossible to list all of the 2-22 significant contributions that Richard made to coaching in Texas 2-23 or to measure the positive impact he had on the lives of the many 2-24 young people he worked with, it is appropriate to conclude that 3-1 Richard achieved distinction in a profession filled with 3-2 extraordinary accomplishments by many individuals; and 3-3 WHEREAS, Richard leaves his family, friends, and the 3-4 athletes he coached many treasured memories and a legacy of 3-5 commitment to his community and profession; now, therefore, be it 3-6 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 3-7 77th Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the 3-8 family of Richard Lee Marler: his wife, Linda; his two children, 3-9 Trisha and Chuck; his mother, Lynn; and his eight grandchildren; 3-10 and, be it further 3-11 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 3-12 the members of his family as an expression of deepest sympathy 3-13 from the Texas Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns this 3-14 day, it do so in memory of Richard Marler. 3-15 Bernsen 3-16 ______________________________________ 3-17 President of the Senate 3-18 I hereby certify that the above 3-19 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 3-20 on February 1, 2001, by a rising vote. 3-21 ______________________________________ 3-22 Secretary of the Senate 3-23 ______________________________________ 3-24 Member, Texas Senate