78S40189 MW-D

By:  Hilderbran                                                   H.R. No. 19 



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, A 90th birthday is a special milestone in the life of 
an individual, and on March 17, 2004, Texas football legend 
"Slingin'" Sammy Baugh celebrated this momentous event; and
	WHEREAS, A native of Temple, Mr. Baugh was a two-time All 
American at Texas Christian University in the 1930s and was the 
number-one draft choice of the National Football League's (NFL) 
Washington Redskins in 1937; and
	WHEREAS, Starring on offense, defense, and special teams 
during his brilliant 16-year career in the NFL, Slingin' Sammy 
passed and punted his way into the record books, single-handedly 
redefining the position of quarterback; he also collected an 
impressive 31 interceptions on the defensive side of the ball; and 
	WHEREAS, The six-time NFL passing leader was inducted into 
the College Football Hall of Fame in 1951 and is the only living 
member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame's 1963 inaugural induction 
class; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Baugh became the first quarterback in history to 
lead his college team to a national championship and his 
professional team to an NFL championship, a feat later accomplished 
by fellow Hall-of-Famers Joe Namath and Joe Montana; moreover, his 
51.4 punting average with the Washington Redskins in 1940 remains 
an NFL record today; and
	WHEREAS, To commemorate the 90th birthday of such a 
distinguished Texan, celebrities and sporting greats from across 
the country gathered together on March 20, 2004, for "Sammy Baugh, a 
Celebration of a Living Legend," hosted by Western Texas College; 
this West Texas barbeque gala featured gridiron greats Don Maynard, 
John David Crow, and Walt Garrison, and benefited the college and 
the Boys and Girls Club of Snyder; and
	WHEREAS, Sammy Baugh is a towering figure in the annals of 
collegiate and professional football, as well as a source of 
tremendous pride to the citizens of the Lone Star State, and it is a 
privilege to honor this venerable gentleman at this time; now, 
therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature, 4th Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the great 
Sammy Baugh in celebration of his 90th birthday and extend to him 
sincere best wishes for continued happiness; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for Mr. Baugh as an expression of high regard by the Texas 
House of Representatives.