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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The electrifying San Diego Chargers running back and |
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Texas native LaDainian Tomlinson continues to build one of the most |
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remarkable legacies in the history of the National Football League, |
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and his stellar performance on the gridiron this season has earned |
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him recognition as the NFL's 2006 Most Valuable Player; and |
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WHEREAS, Born in Rosebud and raised in Waco, Mr. Tomlinson |
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attended Texas Christian University, where he set multiple school |
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and conference records, including the most yards ever gained by a |
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Texas running back in a single season; also intent on making a |
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difference in people's lives off the field, he volunteered |
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tirelessly in the community for such organizations as Boys and |
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Girls Clubs of Fort Worth and the TCU Community Outreach Program; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, In 2001, Mr. Tomlinson brought his greatness to the |
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NFL, where his stature has grown steadily each year; the Chargers' |
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all-time leading rusher, he has rushed for at least 1,200 yards in |
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each of the past six seasons and earned five trips to the Pro Bowl; |
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on October 16, 2005, he became the seventh player in NFL history to |
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run for, catch, and throw for a touchdown in a single game, and his |
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No. 21 jersey is currently displayed in the NFL Hall of Fame in |
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Canton, Ohio, in honor of his record-setting 14-consecutive games |
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with a rushing touchdown; and |
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WHEREAS, The year 2006 saw Mr. Tomlinson soar to new heights |
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as this "triple threat" rushed for a league-best 1,815 yards on 348 |
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carries, pulled in 56 receptions for 508 yards, and passed for two |
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scoring completions, giving him a total of six passing touchdowns |
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in as many years and placing him second in the record books among |
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non-quarterbacks; and |
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WHEREAS, Demonstrating remarkable consistency throughout the |
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season, Mr. Tomlinson recorded 10 games with at least 100 yards |
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rushing, including nine in a row, and scored two or more touchdowns |
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in 10 games; moreover, he tallied 31 touchdowns to break the season |
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touchdown record, garnered 186 points to make the 46-year-old |
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scoring record his own, and received 44 of the 50 votes to claim the |
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prestigious NFL Most Valuable Player award; and |
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WHEREAS, Just as he did in his college days, LaDainian |
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Tomlinson also is making his mark off the gridiron; donating |
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immeasurable time and resources to serve communities in San Diego |
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and Texas, Mr. Tomlinson has positively influenced the lives of |
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countless individuals through his Tomlinson Touching Lives |
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Foundation, which hosts numerous events that benefit young people, |
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the less fortunate, and the sick; a strong advocate for young |
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people, he sponsors an annual golf tournament that funds the "LT |
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School is Cool" scholarship fund, and Mr. Tomlinson invites 21 area |
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children, known as the "21 Club," to attend each game and then takes |
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the kids out for dinner and entertainment after the game; and |
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WHEREAS, LaDainian Tomlinson showcases world-class character |
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on and off the field, making him an exceptional role model for |
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people everywhere, and he is indeed a source of tremendous pride to |
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his home state of Texas; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 80th Texas |
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Legislature hereby congratulate LaDainian Tomlinson on being named |
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the 2006 NFL Most Valuable Player and recognize him for his |
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outstanding community service; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Mr. Tomlinson as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |