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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Alvin Olbrich of Lakeway is Texas A&M University's |
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oldest living football letterman, and this distinction is truly |
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worthy of recognition; and |
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WHEREAS, The son of German immigrants who were cotton |
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farmers, "Block" Olbrich played football at Rosebud High School and |
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enrolled at Texas A&M in 1935; though he didn't make the team his |
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freshman year, head coach Homer Norton personally invited him to |
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try out again the next season after observing Mr. Olbrich's |
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tackling skills during an intramural game; and |
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WHEREAS, He made the squad in 1936, and the next season he |
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began receiving an athletic scholarship that awarded him $20 a |
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month; during his first two years as an A&M player, he served as the |
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backup for Joe Routt, the first Aggie to win All-American honors; |
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while he didn't letter during that time, he was a valued teammate, |
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and he helped mentor a young fullback, John Kimbrough, who had |
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recently transferred to the college and would lead the Aggies to |
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their 1939 national championship; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Olbrich became a letterman in 1938, during his |
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final year at Texas A&M; his personal highlight that season came |
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against the Texas Longhorns, when he recovered a fumble and ran it |
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in for a touchdown, becoming the first Aggie to score a TD in |
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Memorial Stadium; and |
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WHEREAS, Following his graduation with a bachelor's degree in |
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mechanical engineering in 1939, Mr. Olbrich had a successful career |
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with Phillips Petroleum, which included both domestic and |
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international assignments; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Olbrich has remained a loyal supporter of the |
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Aggies through the years and decorates his apartment in maroon and |
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white memorabilia; he is especially interested in the fortunes of |
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the football team and hopes to return to Kyle Field to attend a game |
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during the 2013 season; and |
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WHEREAS, A living link to the rich tradition of Texas A&M |
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football, Alvin "Block" Olbrich is proudly carrying on his duties |
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as a 12th man after 95 years of life well lived, and he is a source |
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of wisdom and inspiration to all who are privileged to know him; |
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now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas |
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Legislature hereby honor Alvin "Block" Olbrich, Texas A&M |
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University's oldest living football letterman, and extend to him a |
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hearty "Gig 'Em" and sincere best wishes for continued happiness; |
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and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Mr. Olbrich as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |