H.R. No. 1942



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, David Robinson is playing his final season with the 
San Antonio Spurs, completing a storied NBA career that has seen him 
rise to the highest level in his chosen sport, but his remarkable 
contributions to the city of San Antonio will continue long after 
the buzzer sounds to end his final game as a Spur; and
	WHEREAS, This remarkable gentleman took his already 
formidable talents to the Naval Academy after only one year of 
basketball at the high school level and quickly became the Middies' 
star player; the first pick in the 1987 NBA Draft by the San Antonio 
Spurs, he graduated with a degree in mathematics and completed his 
final two years of military service before continuing his hardwood 
heroics in San Antonio; and
	WHEREAS, Having suffered through six straight losing 
seasons, the Spurs franchise and its fans hoped Robinson would key a 
reversal of that trend when he joined the team for the 1989-1990 
season; "The Admiral" more than fulfilled those expectations, 
leading San Antonio to 35 more wins than it had posted during the 
previous campaign, the greatest single-season turnaround in the 
history of the NBA, as well as the Midwest Division championship, 
while garnering Rookie of the Year status for his efforts; and
	WHEREAS, A consummate team player, he guided the Spurs to 
seven consecutive playoff appearances, a streak that was broken 
when injuries kept him from playing in all but six games in the 
1996-1997 season; with renewed health and the arrival of Tim Duncan 
the following year, the team's "twin tower" lineup quickly brought 
San Antonio back to its place as one of the NBA's power elite; and
	WHEREAS, The 2003 NBA Playoffs have been a fitting finale to 
the Admiral's NBA career; the Spurs have won postseason series 
against the Phoenix Suns, the defending champion Los Angeles 
Lakers, and the Dallas Mavericks to claim the Western Conference 
championship and advance to the NBA Finals; and
	WHEREAS, David Robinson's consistent excellence has earned 
him two Olympic gold medals, the 1995 NBA most valuable player 
award, a place on the NBA's 50 Greatest Players of All Time, and an 
NBA championship ring in 1999; a 10-time NBA All-Star, he also won 
the IBM Award as the league's best statistical player on five 
occasions; and
	WHEREAS, Affectionately called "Mr. Robinson," this generous 
and committed individual has tirelessly supported his 
"neighborhood" through the David Robinson Foundation, which 
provides aid to programs addressing the physical and spiritual 
needs of families; with his wife, Valerie, he donated $5 million to 
help found the Carver Academy, a school serving prekindergarten 
through eighth-grade students from low-income families, and they 
have continued to provide substantial support to the school since 
its creation; and
	WHEREAS, David Robinson's impact on the San Antonio Spurs and 
the NBA has been truly significant, but his contributions off the 
floor to the citizens of San Antonio are no less impressive, and it 
is indeed appropriate that he receive special legislative 
recognition at this time; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature hereby congratulate David Robinson on his upcoming 
retirement from the National Basketball Association and heartily 
commend him for his remarkable athletic achievements, as well as 
his significant contributions to the city of San Antonio; and, be it 
further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for David Robinson as an expression of high regard by the 
Texas House of Representatives.

                                                                Martinez Fischer

                                                  ______________________________
                                                       Speaker of the House     

	I certify that H.R. No. 1942 was adopted by the House on June 
2, 2003, by a non-record vote.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House