SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 846

WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to pay tribute to a Texas legend, O. A. "Bum" Phillips; and

WHEREAS, Bum Phillips is an icon in the world of football coaching; with a background in ranching and military experience in the elite Marine Raiders during World War II, he is an inspirational leader known for bringing out the best in the players and the teams he coached at the high school, college, and professional levels; since retiring, he has put his talents to use in a wider sphere as a motivational speaker and in his work with numerous charities and ministries; and

WHEREAS, Born Oail Andrew Phillips, Bum Phillips got his nickname as a young boy when his sister could not pronounce the word "brother"; the moniker stuck, and Bum Phillips is now one of the most recognized names not just in Texas but across the United States, even some 25 years after the conclusion of his illustrious football coaching career; and

WHEREAS, On September 30, 1942, one day after his 19th birthday, Bum Phillips enlisted in the United States Marine Corps; after completing boot camp, he volunteered for the newly formed Marine Raiders, an amphibious commando assault force created at the request of President Franklin D. Roosevelt; and

WHEREAS, He fought bravely in numerous South Pacific campaigns during World War II and took part in the Battle of New Georgia, where the Raiders, who were outnumbered 10 to one, fought courageously in hand-to-hand combat, and nearly half of the force was wounded or killed in action; he was honorably discharged on August 18, 1945, after spending 18 months in combat and 11 months rebuilding islands, roads, and runways, and he is one of only two surviving Marine Raiders living in Texas; and

WHEREAS, Bum Phillips became a legendary high school football coach, establishing winning programs in schools across Texas; he taught young men not just the game of football but the leadership principles he learned in the Marines; in the 1950s, at the request of Bear Bryant, head football coach at Texas A&M University, he invented a system of defensive signal calling that is still used today at all levels of football; and

WHEREAS, After several years coaching college football, he joined the National Football League as defensive assistant coach for the San Diego Chargers; he soon joined the Houston Oilers and was named head coach and general manager in 1975; as coach of the Oilers, he became famous as the winningest coach in franchise history and took his team twice to the American Football Conference championship game; he then coached the New Orleans Saints for five years, turning around their defense and rebuilding the franchise before retiring from coaching in 1985; and

WHEREAS, He retired from football but not from working; he still operates a horse and cattle ranch in Goliad County with his wife, Debbie; he does advertising and motivational speaking and works in many charity events; he also ministers to men in Texas prisons; and

WHEREAS, Bum Phillips to this day is one of the most popular, respected, and admired coaches in the history of American football; a rancher, a horseman, and a true Texan, he is known for his dry sense of humor, his laid-back demeanor, his ever-present cowboy hat and boots, and his famous name, which he still explains is a nickname, not a description; and

WHEREAS, A father figure to many, Bum Phillips has had a positive impact on the lives of thousands of young men over the years, and he is truly worthy of recognition for his outstanding career and his inspirational efforts on behalf of his fellow man; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 82nd Legislature, hereby recognize O. A. "Bum" Phillips as a true Texas treasure and an exceptional representative of this state; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for Bum Phillips as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate.

Patrick

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on April 27, 2011.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate