By: Hunter H.R. No. 1520
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, David Leeson was awarded in April 2004 the Pulitzer
Prize for Breaking News Photography for coverage of the invasion of
Iraq; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Leeson spent nearly two months imbedded with the
U.S. Army's Third Infantry Division taking photos as U.S. forces
advanced on Baghdad, and the photos appeared on the pages of major
daily newspapers around the world; and
WHEREAS, In addition to receiving the Pulitzer Prize, Mr.
Leeson has also received numerous other awards, including two
Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Awards, an Edward R. Murrow Award, an
Emmy Award and the Outstanding Alumnus of the Year Award by Abilene
Christian University; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Leeson graduated from Abilene Christian
University in 1978 with a degree in journalism and mass
communication; he has worked for the Abilene Reporter-News, The
Times-Picayune/The States Item in New Orleans, and continues to be
a senior photographer for the Dallas Morning News since joining the
staff in 1984; and
WHEREAS, He has taken photos of armed conflicts in Angola,
Kuwait and Nicaragua; civil wars in Panama, Peru and Sudan;
apartheid in South Africa; homelessness in Dallas, Texas; the Gulf
War; earthquakes in Turkey; and death row in American prisons; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Leeson is supported by his lovely wife, Kim
Ritzenthaler, who is also a photographer for the Dallas Morning
News; his mother and father of Abilene, Mr. and Mrs. Kirby Leeson;
and his sister and brother-in-law of Abilene, Debra and Stephen
Jeter; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas
Legislature hereby commend David Leeson for receiving the 2004
Pulitzer Prize for his coverage of the invasion of Iraq and for the
widespread respect he has for photojournalism; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mr. Leeson as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.