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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Family, friends, and admirers of the Dallas Cowboys |
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are mourning the loss of Wilford "Crazy Ray" Jones, the team's |
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unofficial mascot and greatest fan for 44 years, who passed away on |
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March 17, 2007, at the age of 76; and |
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WHEREAS, Born in 1931 in Nacogdoches, Wilford Jones moved to |
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Dallas in 1953, after serving his country in the Korean War; the |
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following year he married his lifetime companion, Mattie; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Jones entertained Cowboys fans from the team's |
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third season in 1962, when the team was still playing in the Cotton |
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Bowl; performing in a cowboy hat, blue suede chaps, and white cowboy |
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boots, Mr. Jones entertained the fans from the sidelines during |
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games; his energetic antics included doing magic tricks, making |
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balloon animals, and galloping on a stick horse named "Bo-Bo," all |
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of which earned him the nickname "Crazy Ray"; and |
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WHEREAS, Although he was never officially an employee of |
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Dallas Cowboys organization, Mr. Wilford became an iconic and |
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beloved figure at Cowboys games over the years, known for his mock |
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fights with the mascots of other teams and for the loud whistle he |
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often blew, which earned him his other nickname, "Whistling Ray"; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Until ill health limited his activities, "Crazy Ray" |
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missed only three Cowboys home games, remaining a loyal Cowboys fan |
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until the end of his life; he has been honored in the fans' wing of |
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the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio; and |
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WHEREAS, For more than 40 years, Wilford "Crazy Ray" Jones |
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embodied the high spirits of America's Team and its fans; his |
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generous gift of passion and fun have made him a beloved figure, and |
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he will long be remembered by all who love the Cowboys; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 80th Texas |
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Legislature hereby honor the memory of Wilford Jones and offer |
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sincere condolences to the members of his family: to his wife of 53 |
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years, Mattie; to his brothers, Paul Jones and Jerry Jones; to his |
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sister, Eugenia Gibson; to his grandsons, Derrick Jackson and |
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Darryl Jackson; and to his other family and friends; and, be it |
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further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of |
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Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Wilford |
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"Crazy Ray" Jones. |