H.R. No. 769



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The University of Texas men's basketball team has 
completed a sensational and memorable season that included the 
team's first trip to the Final Four in more than 50 years; and
	WHEREAS, Guided by head coach Rick Barnes, the Longhorns 
finished their season with a 26-7 record that included a perfect 
14-0 mark on their home court and earned the team its first-ever 
NCAA Tournament number-one seed; the season also featured two wins 
over conference rival Oklahoma as well as a strong run in the NCAA 
Tournament that ended with a hard-fought loss to eventual national 
champion Syracuse University; and
	WHEREAS, This young and energetic Longhorns team was led by 
sophomore point guard T. J. Ford, the 2003 Naismith Player of the 
Year; the team also included seniors Deginald Erskin, Terrell Ross, 
and Chris Ogden, juniors James Thomas, Brandon Mouton, Royal Ivey, 
Drew Gressett, and Brian Boddicker, sophomores Sydmill Harris and 
Jason Klotz, and freshmen Kenton Paulino, Brad Buckman, and Chris 
Wright; and
	WHEREAS, With help from assistant coaches Frank Haith, Rodney 
Terry, and Russell Springmann, Coach Barnes has crafted a solid and 
successful team that is fast earning the university recognition as 
one of the nation's elite basketball programs; his players have 
earned the respect of fans for their efforts both on and off the 
hardwood, and the team will undoubtedly build on its success as it 
returns to the national title hunt next season; now, therefore, be 
it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature hereby pay tribute to Coach Rick Barnes and the Texas 
Longhorns men's basketball team on their outstanding 2002-2003 
season and extend best wishes for continued success to the many 
individuals associated with the team; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for the team and coaches as an expression of high regard by 
the Texas House of Representatives.

                                                                        Naishtat

                                                  ______________________________
                                                       Speaker of the House     

	I certify that H.R. No. 769 was adopted by the House on May 2, 
2003, by a non-record vote.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House