By:  Van Arsdale                                                  H.R. No. 691



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The University of Texas men's basketball team joined 
the ranks of the nation's elite by claiming a berth in the 2003 NCAA 
Division I Final Four; and
	WHEREAS, Having advanced to the "Sweet 16" in the 2002 NCAA 
Tournament, the Longhorns focused their efforts throughout the 
current season on returning to the tournament to better last year's 
showing; after facing a brutal regular season schedule laced with 
formidable Big 12 rivals and other top opponents, Texas emerged as 
the No. 1 seed in the South Region when the NCAA Tournament brackets 
were announced; and
	WHEREAS, The Longhorns proved themselves worthy of their top 
seed by being the only top-seeded team to advance to the Final Four; 
and
	WHEREAS, The players in orange and white exhibited their 
trademark mental toughness and determination by earning the 
school's first Final Four appearance since 1947; and
	WHEREAS, Paced by their superb floor general, T. J. Ford, who 
was recently named 2003 Naismith College Basketball Male Player of 
the Year, teammates James Thomas, Brandon Mouton, Kenton Paulino, 
Sydmill Harris, Deginald Erskin, Jason Klotz, Brad Buckman, Terrell 
Ross, Royal Ivey, Drew Gressett, Brian Boddicker, Chris Wright, and 
Chris Ogden are united with him in their desire to make The 
University of Texas men's basketball program one of the finest in 
the country; and
	WHEREAS, Head coach Rick Barnes, who has guided his Texas 
team to the NCAA Tournament each of his five years at the Forty 
Acres, is the architect of the Longhorns' championship dream; he 
has instilled in his young charges an outstanding work ethic and 
indomitable spirit that are a reflection of his own personality, 
and he has been ably supported in his efforts by assistant coaches 
Frank Haith, Russell Springmann, and Rodney Terry; and
	WHEREAS, These remarkable student-athletes, with their 
coaches and staff, have brought men's basketball at The University 
of Texas to a level of prominence not seen in decades, and their 
efforts are a source of tremendous pride to Longhorn fans 
everywhere; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature hereby congratulate the members of The University of 
Texas men's basketball team on earning a berth in the 2003 NCAA 
Division I Men's Basketball Championship Final Four and extend to 
them sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for the team members and coaching staff as an expression of 
high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.