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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Texas athletes have a long history of excelling at |
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the highest levels of competition, and Clint Dempsey of the United |
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States Men's National Team furthered that tradition with his |
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exemplary performance at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Dempsey shined throughout the tournament, |
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starting all four of the USMNT matches and scoring two crucial goals |
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from his forward position; in the process, he helped the United |
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States advance out of the group stage and into the Round of 16, |
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while becoming the first American player to score in three |
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consecutive World Cups; and |
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WHEREAS, This superb athlete tallied his first goal in the |
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team's opening match against Ghana, evading his defender in the |
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penalty area and placing a perfect shot inside the goalposts to give |
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the U.S. a lead just 32 seconds into the contest; Mr. Dempsey also |
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displayed rare grit and determination by remaining on the field |
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after suffering a broken nose late in the first half, as the U.S. |
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won by a score of 2-1; in the ensuing matchup with Portugal, he |
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deftly controlled a crossing pass from teammate Graham Zusi in the |
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81st minute and put the ball in the back of the net for a late |
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go-ahead goal; and |
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WHEREAS, A member of the national team since 2004, |
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Mr. Dempsey has been recognized for his efforts during |
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international competition with a number of accolades, including |
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three U.S. Soccer Male Athlete of the Year awards and three Futbol |
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de Primera Player of the Year awards; in addition, he has been named |
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Man of the Match on several occasions, and he won the prestigious |
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FIFA Bronze Ball at the 2009 Confederations Cup for his attacking |
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style of play; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Dempsey was a standout performer on the |
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Nacogdoches High School soccer team, and he went on to achieve |
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notable success in college as an All-American midfielder and |
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forward for Furman University; he was drafted in 2004 by Major |
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League Soccer's New England Revolution, where he scored 25 goals in |
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three seasons before continuing his professional career overseas |
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with the Fulham Football Club and the Tottenham Hotspurs Football |
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Club of the English Premier League; in 2013, he returned to the U.S. |
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and his MLS roots by transferring to the Seattle Sounders Football |
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Club, leading the team to a berth in the MLS Cup Playoffs; and |
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WHEREAS, Clint Dempsey has distinguished himself as one of |
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the finest footballers to ever wear the red, white, and blue, and |
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his accomplishments on the game's biggest stage are a source of |
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great pride and excitement for his many fans across the country and |
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in the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas |
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Legislature hereby congratulate Clint Dempsey on his performance as |
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a member of the United States Men's National Team at the 2014 FIFA |
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World Cup and extend to him best wishes for continued success; 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. Dempsey as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |
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Clardy |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 121 was adopted by the House on |
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February 19, 2015, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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