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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Influential comic and social activist Dick Gregory |
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is celebrating his 75th birthday in Dallas on June 29, 2007; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Gregory began his career in comedy in the |
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mid-1950s after being drafted into the U.S. Army; in 1961, he earned |
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a three-year contract with Chicago's Playboy Club, which propelled |
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him onto the national stage; hired to replace a white comedian, he |
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wowed audiences and was soon selling out nightclubs, making |
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television appearances, and recording albums; and |
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WHEREAS, A champion of the civil rights movement, Mr. Gregory |
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used his celebrity status to draw attention to issues of |
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segregation and disenfranchisement; in one remarkable act of |
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generosity and commitment to a just cause, he chartered a plane to |
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bring in food to poor black families who had been cut off from |
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federal surpluses as SNCC was encouraging voter registration; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Gregory has been honored for his lifetime of |
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achievement at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.; hosted by |
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Bill Cosby, the sold-out tribute was attended by Mrs. Martin Luther |
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King, Jr., Stevie Wonder, Isaac Hayes, and Cicely Tyson, to name a |
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few; and |
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WHEREAS, In all of his endeavors, Mr. Gregory has enjoyed the |
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support of his wife, Lil, and his 10 children, Michele, Lynne, |
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Pamela, Paula, Stephanie, Gregory, Christian, Miss, Ayanna, and |
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Yohance; and |
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WHEREAS, A talented performer, published author, and cancer |
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survivor, Dick Gregory possesses a maverick spirit that has moved |
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countless individuals and earned him a special place in the hearts |
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of many; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 80th Texas |
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Legislature hereby honor Dick Gregory on the occasion of his 75th |
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birthday and extend to him sincere best wishes for the future; and, |
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be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Mr. Gregory as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |
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Davis of Dallas |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 2656 was adopted by the House on May |
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25, 2007, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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