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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Throughout his noteworthy career in film, |
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television, and the theater, Louis Gossett, Jr., has distinguished |
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himself as an award-winning actor and a champion for racial |
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equality; and |
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WHEREAS, Born on May 27, 1936, in Brooklyn, New York, Louis |
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Gossett landed his first leading role as a 16-year-old in the |
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Broadway production of Take a Giant Step in 1953; he went on to |
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appear in the stage and film versions of A Raisin in the Sun in 1961, |
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as well as in numerous television series during the 1960s and 1970s; |
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in 1977, Mr. Gossett earned an Emmy for his portrayal of "Fiddler" |
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in the ABC miniseries Roots, and he won the Academy Award for Best |
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Actor in a Supporting Role in 1982 for his performance in An Officer |
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and a Gentleman; Mr. Gossett continued to seek diverse and |
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challenging roles, and he was featured in such projects as the |
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action adventure series Iron Eagle from 1985 through 1995 and in |
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Diggstown and Toy Soldiers in 1991; moreover, Mr. Gossett has |
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received additional industry accolades, including Golden Globes |
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and People's Choice awards, and he landed a role on the popular |
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science fiction television series Stargate SG-1; and |
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WHEREAS, Committed to socially themed pictures, Mr. Gossett |
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appeared in To Dance with Olivia in 1997 and Jasper, Texas in 2003, |
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and he also developed the Eracism Foundation, a nonprofit |
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organization that calls attention to issues of racism and |
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intolerance through entertainment; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Gossett's latest film, The Least Among You, is |
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being featured at the 2009 AFI Dallas International Film Festival; |
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inspired by a true story, the movie examines racial tension in the |
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aftermath of the 1965 Watts riots, and it received the Best Texas |
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Film and Audience Choice awards at the 2009 Texas Black Film |
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Festival, where Mr. Gossett was also chosen as Best Actor; and |
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WHEREAS, As a performer, Louis Gossett, Jr., has garnered |
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acclaim from critics and audiences alike, and by reaching beyond |
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his profession to advocate for social awareness and compassion, he |
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is an inspiration to many; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas |
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Legislature hereby commend Louis Gossett, Jr., for his impressive |
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body of work and for his dedication to pursuing and maintaining the |
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highest standards in the performing arts and extend to him |
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gratitude for his support of the State of Texas; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Mr. Gossett as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |