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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, March 31 marked the opening day of the 2007 season |
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for the Magnolia National Little League in Houston, and the |
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beginning of another year of play offers a fitting opportunity to |
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pay tribute to this beneficial community organization; and |
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WHEREAS, In existence since the 1950s, Magnolia National |
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Little League is a nonprofit group that has provided several |
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generations of young people in the Magnolia community with an |
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opportunity to take part in an organized athletic league where they |
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can play baseball and softball; and |
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WHEREAS, The league is based at Hidalgo Park and offers teams |
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for boys and girls in many different age groups, from T-ball games |
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for five- and six-year-olds to senior competition for 15- and |
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16-year-olds; these young athletes have proven their talent and |
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determination through exceptional play, with the league's minor |
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division team, the Red Sox, winning the District 15 championship in |
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2006, the Cubs T-ball team finishing third in their district, and a |
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number of Magnolia girls' softball players competing in regional |
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sectional games; and |
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WHEREAS, A true community effort, the Magnolia National |
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Little League is organized by adult volunteers and underwritten by |
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sponsors whose generous support allows youths of limited financial |
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means to join in the fun; funds are also raised through an annual |
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barbecue cook-out that has become a popular local event, with |
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proceeds used to offset such expenses as hiring umpires and |
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purchasing equipment; and |
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WHEREAS, Committed involvement by local residents has been |
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part of the league's activities since the beginning; in 1958 area |
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leaders such as Mary Lopez and Emilio Luna lobbied the Houston City |
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Council to renovate Hidalgo Park so that the league would have a |
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home; more recently, Magnolia National Little League received |
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assistance from the Texas Fence Association, the Houston Astros, |
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and Minute Maid to enclose a much-needed third playing field at |
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Hidalgo Park; and |
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WHEREAS, By providing young people with a valuable |
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recreational outlet and exposing them to the character-building |
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qualities of athletic competition, the Magnolia National Little |
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League has been a positive influence for area youth for nearly a |
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half-century; 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 the Magnolia National Little |
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League on the beginning of its 2007 season and commend this |
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outstanding organization and its volunteers and sponsors for their |
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contributions to the young people of eastern Houston; 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 the Magnolia National Little League as an expression |
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of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. |