1-1 ****** NEED TWO-PAGE HEADER ****** 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 616 1-3 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is proud to 1-4 recognize martial arts master and worldwide film and television 1-5 star Chuck Norris for his many positive contributions to the 1-6 State of Texas; and 1-7 WHEREAS, World-renowned for his expertise, Mr. Norris is a 1-8 six-time professional world middleweight karate champion, a 1-9 title he held undefeated until his retirement in 1974; and 1-10 WHEREAS, A veteran of such successful films as Return of the 1-11 Dragon, Missing in Action, and Code of Silence, Mr. Norris made 1-12 his television debut in 1993 as the star and executive producer 1-13 of the hit series Walker, Texas Ranger, which has delighted 1-14 audiences in Texas and around the world for the past eight years; 1-15 and 1-16 WHEREAS, Off camera, Mr. Norris has demonstrated the same 1-17 concern and care for Texas that his character Cordell Walker 1-18 has exhibited for eight seasons on television; the show was 1-19 filmed almost entirely in Texas, bringing approximately $307 1-20 million in spending to Texas businesses and employing hundreds 1-21 of local workers and actors; and 1-22 WHEREAS, Mr. Norris has also worked diligently for the 2-1 welfare of at-risk youth in Texas through his foundation Kick 2-2 Drugs Out of America; the foundation's goal is to build 2-3 self-confidence and discipline among middle schoolers by 2-4 encouraging them to study martial arts; and 2-5 WHEREAS, Chuck Norris has proven himself a friend to the 2-6 State of Texas, and for the superb work he has done on behalf 2-7 of the people of this state, he is worthy of legislative 2-8 recognition; now, therefore, be it 2-9 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 2-10 77th Legislature, hereby extend a sincere thank you to 2-11 Chuck Norris for his many contributions to Texas and welcome 2-12 him and his crew to Austin on the occasion of their filming 2-13 the final episode of Walker, Texas Ranger; and, be it further 2-14 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 2-15 Mr. Norris as an expression of great esteem from the Texas Senate. 2-16 Shapiro 2-17 ______________________________________ 2-18 President of the Senate 2-19 I hereby certify that the above 2-20 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 2-21 on April 4, 2001. 2-22 ______________________________________ 2-23 Secretary of the Senate 2-24 ______________________________________ 2-25 Member, Texas Senate