H.R. No. 1814

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, A businessman who has distinguished himself through his inspiring leadership and visionary ideas, Drayton McLane has built the Houston Astros into a thriving sports franchise that is bringing great benefits to the city of Houston and the State of Texas; and

WHEREAS, Beginning his 14th season in Major League Baseball, Mr. McLane has transformed the Astros into an organization that has enjoyed immense success, both in competition and as a business; the Astros have advanced to the postseason six times in 13 seasons, including three consecutive division titles from 1997 to 1999 and the team's first World Series appearance in 2005; and

WHEREAS, Drayton McLane was instrumental in the effort to build Minute Maid Park in downtown Houston, and the opening of the Astros' new home in 2000 provided a boost of energy that has helped spark additional development in the area; and

WHEREAS, Mr. McLane has been a member of several MLB committees, including the executive committee, the finance committee, the legislative affairs committee, the ownership and realignment committee, and the advanced media committee, and his contributions to the continued growth and popularity of the sport have earned him the respect of fellow owners; and

WHEREAS, Possessing expertise that extends far beyond the sports world, Mr. McLane has long been a prominent member of the Lone Star State's business community; he began his professional career with the McLane Company, a grocery distribution center owned by his family; under his leadership, the McLane Company has experienced dramatic growth, becoming an international firm with 18 divisions throughout the United States; today, the McLane Group encompasses an array of business enterprises, including the Houston Astros Baseball Club; and

WHEREAS, Active in the civic affairs of several Texas communities, Mr. McLane is involved with the Cooper Institute in Dallas, the Greater Houston Partnership, and the United Way; he serves as chairman of the board of Scott & White Hospital and sits on the board of the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University; and

WHEREAS, Mr. McLane is a past chairman of his undergraduate alma mater, Baylor University, and an officer of the executive committee of the Boy Scouts of America; notably, he received the Distinguished Citizen Award and the Silver Buffalo from the Boy Scouts of America in 2004; and

WHEREAS, The recipient of numerous other honors and accolades, this esteemed leader holds an honorary doctorate from Michigan State University, where he attended graduate school, and has been inducted into the Texas Business Hall of Fame and the Texas Baseball Hall of Fame; moreover, he earned the Distinguished Leadership Award from Leadership Houston in 2002 and was named Father of the Year in 2000 by the Houston Community Partners; and

WHEREAS, Devoted to his family and his faith, Mr. McLane enjoys the love and support of his wife, Elizabeth, and his sons, Drayton McLane III and Denton McLane; he remains an active member of the First Baptist Church of Temple, where he teaches Sunday school and serves as a deacon; and

WHEREAS, The contributions of Drayton McLane as a businessman and community leader, as well as his decisive leadership of the Houston Astros, continue to have a lasting and positive impact on the citizens of Texas; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 80th Texas Legislature hereby honor Drayton McLane for his many years of service to his state and for giving Astros fans something to cheer about; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Mr. McLane as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Murphy

______________________________ Speaker of the House

I certify that H.R. No. 1814 was adopted by the House on May 18, 2007, by a non-record vote.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House