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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Kansas City Chiefs running back and Port Arthur |
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native Jamaal Charles has been a stellar performer on the gridiron, |
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and he has further distinguished himself through his many |
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charitable works; and |
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WHEREAS, Drafted in the third round of the 2008 National |
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Football League Draft after an outstanding collegiate career at The |
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University of Texas at Austin, Mr. Charles is one of the most |
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prolific running backs in the NFL today; he has tallied more rushing |
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yards than any back in franchise history during his seven seasons |
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with Kansas City, and he led the league in touchdowns and finished |
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in the top five of MVP voting in 2013; he currently holds the league |
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record in yards-per-carry average among running backs, and he has |
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received a number of prestigious accolades, including multiple |
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selections as a Pro Bowl and First Team All-Pro player; and |
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WHEREAS, This talented athlete established the Jamaal |
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Charles "Youth Matters" Family Foundation shortly after entering |
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the NFL, and he has continued to devote his time and resources to |
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serving disadvantaged youth in both Texas and Kansas City; the |
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foundation organizes and sponsors a wide range of beneficial |
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activities, events, and initiatives, including flag football |
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tournaments, AAU sports programs, celebrity basketball games, and |
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other community fund-raisers; the foundation's signature event is a |
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free football camp held in Port Arthur each year, in which area |
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youngsters ages 5 to 15 take part in football drills and interact |
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with Mr. Charles and other NFL stars; and |
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WHEREAS, An alumnus of Memorial High School, Mr. Charles has |
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focused on assisting graduates of his alma mater by directing his |
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foundation to award scholarships to five deserving seniors each |
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year; the organization also benefits underprivileged residents of |
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Port Arthur by partnering with the Babineaux Family Foundation to |
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provide Thanksgiving meals and Christmas gifts to local families; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Mr. Charles enjoys the love |
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and support of his wife, Whitney, and he is the proud father of two |
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daughters, Makaila and Makenzie; and |
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WHEREAS, Jamaal Charles demonstrates exceptional character |
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both on and off the field, making him an exceptional role model for |
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his fans in the Lone Star State and beyond, and he is indeed |
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deserving of recognition for his generous efforts to help others; |
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now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas |
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Legislature hereby commend Jamaal Charles for his many |
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philanthropic endeavors and extend to him sincere best wishes for |
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continued success; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Mr. Charles as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |