78R19795 JHS-D

By:  Branch                                                       H.R. No. 1980



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Sai Gunturi of Plano represented his school, his 
city, and his state with great distinction as the winner of the 76th 
Scripps Howard National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C.; and
	WHEREAS, An eighth-grader at St. Mark's School of Texas in 
Dallas, Mr. Gunturi has made four consecutive appearances in the 
national spelling bee, finishing 32nd in 2000, 16th in 2001, and 7th 
in 2002; and
	WHEREAS, Through 15 rounds of competition, he calmly, 
confidently, and correctly spelled such obscure words as 
"marmoraceous," "halogeton," and "dipnoous"; and
	WHEREAS, Demonstrating poise and focus, he outlasted 250 
participants from all 50 states and seven countries, and ultimately 
sealed the victory by correctly spelling "pococurante," a word 
meaning indifferent or apathetic; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Gunturi comes from a family of outstanding 
spellers; his sister, Nivedita, tied for eighth place in the 1997 
national competition; and
	WHEREAS, An avid reader and a straight-A student, he placed 
first in the Hellenic history and Greek derivatives categories at 
the National Junior Classical League convention; in addition to 
following a rigorous academic regimen, he plays violin in his 
school's orchestra, studies Indian classical music, and enjoys bike 
riding, tennis, and video games; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Gunturi holds future aspirations of becoming a 
sculptor or a genetic engineer, and the members of this chamber are 
decidedly NOT pococurante about his most recent achievement; now, 
therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature hereby congratulate Sai Gunturi on winning the 2003 
Scripps Howard National Spelling Bee and extend to him best wishes 
for continued success; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for Mr. Gunturi as an expression of high regard by the 
Texas House of Representatives.