H.R. No. 129
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Lance Armstrong has joined the ranks of the truly
legendary cyclists with his fifth consecutive victory in the Tour
de France, defeating the sport's elite yet again in the world's most
physically and mentally challenging sporting event; and
WHEREAS, A native of Plano and a proud Texan, Mr. Armstrong
makes his home in Austin when not training abroad or competing on
the professional cycling circuit; his most recent tour de force in
the Tour de France places him in the company of renowned cyclists
Jacques Anquetil, Bernard Hinault, Eddy Merckx, and Miguel
Indurain, all five-time winners of the so-called "Super Bowl of
Cycling"; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Armstrong's brilliant cycling career has
captured the attention and imagination of countless fans throughout
the world thanks largely to his remarkable success in Le Tour; his
well-known battle against cancer and his subsequent defeat of the
deadly disease have made him a role model for the cancer community
and beyond, and his return to dominance in professional cycling has
only added to the dramatic and inspirational story of his
miraculous recovery; and
WHEREAS, A naturally gifted athlete with an unquenchable
competitive thirst, Mr. Armstrong became a professional triathlete
at the age of 16, although he soon realized that his future in
competitive sports would focus on his cycling prowess; in 1989 he
qualified for the junior world championships in Moscow, and two
years later he became the U.S. National Amateur Champion; and
WHEREAS, After competing in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, he
began his professional career inauspiciously with a last-place
finish in the 1992 Classico San Sebastian; despite finishing 27
minutes behind the winner of the rain-soaked race, Mr. Armstrong
displayed the tenacious attitude that has become perhaps his most
enduring and endearing characteristic; and
WHEREAS, The following year saw him reach his seemingly
limitless potential as he captured 10 titles, including the U.S.
Pro Championship; the year 1993 also featured Mr. Armstrong's first
stage victory in the Tour de France as well as his establishment as
the youngest road racing world champion; additional successes would
quickly follow, including victories in the 1994 TDS Classic and the
1995 Tour Du Pont, yet his most challenging adversary was quietly
lurking, waiting to unseat the talented cyclist; and
WHEREAS, His shocking diagnosis of cancer took a toll on Mr.
Armstrong, physically, mentally, and emotionally, causing him to
reevaluate his life and his purpose as he struggled to beat the
advanced testicular cancer that had spread to his lungs and his
brain; with the help of a dedicated team of physicians and nurses,
as well as the support of his family and friends, he underwent
surgery and a series of aggressive treatments that successfully
eradicated the cancerous cells; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Armstrong's determined recovery from the
invasive surgeries and intense chemotherapy left him profoundly
changed, and he has dedicated himself to using his experience to
help others by becoming a spokesperson for the fight against
cancer; the Austin-based Lance Armstrong Foundation is the world
leader in the concept of "cancer survivorship," and the money
raised through this commendable organization continues to benefit
those who have been stricken with cancer and those who have overcome
the disease; and
WHEREAS, Although Mr. Armstrong considers his defeat of
cancer to be his greatest victory, his efforts in the Tour de France
are certainly worthy of high praise; to win this grueling
three-week road race once was a significant accomplishment, but to
win it five consecutive times is a truly monumental achievement,
particularly in light of the obstacles and ordeals that he has
overcome; and
WHEREAS, Cancer survivor, husband, father, son, Olympian,
humanitarian, and champion, Lance Armstrong is each of these, and
his recovery from the ravages of cancer and his subsequent return to
the pinnacle of cycling success remains one of the most compelling
and emotional stories of recent memory; he is a guiding light for
countless individuals, and his message of determination, hope, and
perseverance will continue to inspire people from all walks of
life; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas
Legislature, 2nd Called Session, hereby congratulate Lance
Armstrong on capturing his fifth consecutive Tour de France title
and extend to him best wishes as he pursues an unprecedented sixth
Tour de France victory; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mr. Armstrong as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.
Baxter
McCall
Craddick Geren Mercer
Allen Giddings Merritt
Alonzo Goodman Miller
Bailey Goolsby Moreno of Harris
Baxter Griggs Moreno of El Paso
Berman Grusendorf Morrison
Bohac Guillen Mowery
Bonnen Gutierrez Naishtat
Branch Haggerty Nixon
Brown of Kaufman Hamilton Noriega
Brown of Brazos Hamric Oliveira
Burnam Hardcastle Olivo
Callegari Harper-Brown Paxton
Campbell Hartnett Pena
Canales Heflin Phillips
Capelo Hegar Pickett
Casteel Hilderbran Pitts
Castro Hill Puente
Chavez Hochberg Quintanilla
Chisum Hodge Raymond
Christian Homer Reyna
Coleman Hope Riddle
Cook of Navarro Hopson Ritter
Cook of Colorado Howard Rodriguez
Corte Hughes Rose
Crabb Hunter Seaman
Crownover Hupp Smith of Tarrant
Davis of Harris Isett Smith of Harris
Davis of Dallas Jones of Lubbock Smithee
Dawson Jones of Bexar Solis
Delisi Jones of Dallas Solomons
Denny Keel Stick
Deshotel Keffer of Dallas Swinford
Driver Keffer of Eastland Talton
Dukes King Taylor
Dunnam Kolkhorst Telford
Dutton Krusee Thompson
Edwards Kuempel Truitt
Eiland Laney Turner
Eissler Laubenberg Uresti
Elkins Lewis Van Arsdale
Ellis Luna Villarreal
Escobar Mabry West
Farabee Madden Wilson
Farrar Marchant Wise
Flores Martinez Fischer Wohlgemuth
Flynn McCall Wolens
Gallego McClendon Wong
Garza McReynolds Woolley
Gattis Menendez Zedler
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 129 was adopted by the House on August
22, 2003, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House