79R17918 MMS-D By: Dunnam H.R. No. 1943R E S O L U T I O N WHEREAS, Carroll Hall Shelby, a Texas native, has put an indelible stamp on the automotive industry through his achievements as a race car driver, owner, team manager, manufacturer, and consultant; and WHEREAS, Born in Leesburg on January 11, 1923, Mr. Shelby graduated from high school in Dallas and served as a flight instructor and test pilot in the Army Air Corps during World War II; after the war, he took up several occupations before becoming a professional race car driver in 1954; and WHEREAS, His first year as a driver, Mr. Shelby broke land speed records for Austin Healey, and in 1959 he won the 24-hour Le Mans alongside teammate Roy Salvadori; in 1956 and 1957, Sports Illustrated named him Sports Car Driver of the Year, and in 1960 he won the USAC championship; and WHEREAS, Forced to retire from driving because of his health, Mr. Shelby formed Shelby-American in 1962 and began work on a car he named the Cobra; three years later, the Cobra ended Ferrari's domination of the FIA World Manufacturers' Championship when it became the only American car ever to take that prize; in 1999, Motor TrendMagazine named the original Cobra Roadster as the most significant car of the past 50 years; and WHEREAS, During the 1960s, Mr. Shelby's racing team also drove GT40s for Ford in international competition; the team took first, second, and third place at Le Mans in 1966 and won at Le Mans again in 1967, the same year it secured for Ford the Trans-Am Manufacturer's title; and WHEREAS, In addition to working with Ford on the GT40 and the Shelby GT350 and GT500 Mustangs, Mr. Shelby conceived a sports car for Chrysler that debuted in 1989 as the Viper; while continuing to develop the Cobra, he has also designed and manufactured the Shelby Series 1 sports car, and he is presently collaborating with Ford and with Unique Performance of Farmers Branch to create still other vehicles; and WHEREAS, Deeply committed to lessening the automobile's impact on the environment, Mr. Shelby serves today as president of Advanced Engine Technologies, Inc., where he is leading the development of a radically new, more environmentally friendly, internal combustion engine; and WHEREAS, He has also purchased a ranch near Annona, in Red River County, which he is planning to make his principal residence and which will give his herd of Tulli cattle room to roam; even while living on the West Coast, Mr. Shelby maintained a connection with his Texas roots; notable among his Texas-related ventures have been the launch of a successful chili company and the inauguration, with Frank Tolbert, of the Terlingua chili cook-off, now in its 39th year; and WHEREAS, In 1990, after contending for decades with a serious heart ailment, Mr. Shelby received a heart transplant; the following year, he established the Carroll Shelby Children's Foundation, to provide assistance for acute coronary and kidney care for indigent children; and WHEREAS, Carroll Shelby was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1991 and the Automotive Hall of Fame in 1992; and WHEREAS, An exceptionally talented and accomplished driver, this legendary Texan has contributed immeasurably to the advancement of automotive design and technology, and through his concern for the larger good he is touching the lives of people around the world; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas Legislature hereby honor Carroll Hall Shelby for his lifetime achievements and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued success in all his endeavors; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Mr. Shelby as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.