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78S41169 DS-D

By:  Mabry                                                        H.R. No. 227



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Frank Fallon, famed sportscaster of Baylor 
University, passed away on April 30, 2004, at the age of 73, leaving 
a great void in the lives of many in the communities of Waco and 
Baylor University; and
	WHEREAS, Dubbed the "Voice of the Baylor Bears," Mr. Fallon 
had called Baylor basketball and football games for more than four 
decades, painting the scenes of many triumphs and defeats for avid 
Baylor fans with his distinctively resonant voice; and
	WHEREAS, A San Antonio native, he began broadcasting Baylor 
football games in 1953 while working for KWTX radio in Waco; he 
later served as the station's general manager for 29 years and was 
Baylor's coordinator of broadcast activities for more than a 
decade; and
	WHEREAS, In 1960, Mr. Fallon was recruited by the American 
Football League to broadcast the games of the Houston Oilers; his 
professionalism and skill in that endeavor earned him an invitation 
to broadcast weekly games for ABC-TV, but he declined the offer, 
preferring life in Waco to big-city living; and
	WHEREAS, This beloved broadcaster's extraordinary career 
also included 45 years of announcing Texas high school football 
games, and countless football fans tuned in to hear his dulcet tones 
dance on the Texas airways as prep-school athletes battled beneath 
the Friday night lights; in addition, he was the public address 
announcer for the NCAA Final Four for two decades and provided 
play-by-play coverage of Southwest Conference basketball for NBC 
and ESPN; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Fallon received several awards and honors in his 
long career, including "Top 10 All-Time Radio Play-by-Play 
Announcers" by the Texas Sportswriters Association; five-time 
Texas Association of Broadcasters Sportscaster of the Year; 
seven-time Associated Press Best Radio Play-by-Play Announcer; 
induction into the Baylor Athletics Hall of Fame and the Texas High 
School Football Hall of Fame; and honorary membership in the Texas 
High School Football Coaches Association; and
	WHEREAS, Most recently in 2001, Mr. Fallon was given the 
Chris Schenkel Award from the National Football Foundation and 
College Hall of Fame and the Baylor Communications Award for his 
distinguished service in the field of broadcasting and his 
contributions to the community; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Fallon was a friend to both players and coaches 
alike and held a strong interest in the workings of the teams, 
attending practices and sessions in an effort to improve his 
already considerable knowledge of the sports he covered; he never 
entertained the idea of working elsewhere and also taught a course 
on broadcasting at Baylor University for 11 years; when he retired 
in 1995, a banner displaying his microphone was hung in his honor 
from the rafters of the school's basketball arena; and
	WHEREAS, For 42 years, Mr. Fallon brought much enjoyment to 
countless sports fans, and those listeners appreciated the fairness 
and accuracy of his reporting; however, what will be cherished most 
by those who knew him away from the microphone will be the memories 
of a congenial and considerate man; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature, 4th Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life of 
Frank Fallon and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his 
family: to his wife, June Fallon; to his sons, Steve Fallon, Mark 
Fallon, Mike Fallon, and Kyle Fallon; to his five grandchildren; 
and to his other relatives and friends; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas House 
of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Frank 
Fallon.