|
|
|
R E S O L U T I O N
|
|
WHEREAS, The life of an admired athlete and community leader |
|
drew to a close with the passing of Anthony James Hawkins of Bay |
|
City on October 7, 2015, at the age of 57; and |
|
WHEREAS, The son of Jimmie and Bessie Hawkins Times, Andy |
|
Hawkins was born in Bay City on March 31, 1958, and grew up with the |
|
companionship of six siblings; a graduate of Van Vleck High School, |
|
he went on to play linebacker at Texas A&M University--Kingsville, |
|
and he was inducted into the Javelina Hall of Fame in 1992; and |
|
WHEREAS, Mr. Hawkins subsequently enjoyed a nine-season |
|
career in professional football; in 1980, he was drafted by the |
|
Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he played for four seasons before |
|
signing with the Houston Gamblers of the United States Football |
|
League; he returned to the NFL with the San Diego Chargers in 1986, |
|
and two years later, he played for a season with the Kansas City |
|
Chiefs; after retiring from football, he finished his degree at |
|
Wharton County Junior College and went on to work for a quarter |
|
century at the OXEA Corporation; and |
|
WHEREAS, A civic leader of tremendous vision and passion, |
|
Mr. Hawkins served as a member of the Bay City Council, as president |
|
of the Bay City Youth Football Association, and as a board member of |
|
the Economic Action Committee of the Gulf Coast; he was a member of |
|
the Bay City Lions Club, the Bay City Community Development |
|
Corporation, and the Texas Association of Sports Officials, and he |
|
shared his love of sports with local young people by refereeing |
|
football, basketball, and softball games; he also enjoyed playing |
|
golf and competing as a member of the Schlitz Bulls softball team; |
|
in recognition of his outstanding service to the community, the |
|
football field at Hardeman Park was named in his honor in 2016; and |
|
WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Mr. Hawkins was supported by |
|
the love and encouragement of his wife, Sherry, with whom he shared |
|
23 years, and he took tremendous pride in his daughters, April and |
|
Andrea; and |
|
WHEREAS, Andy Hawkins attained success in a range of pursuits |
|
and built a rewarding life that was rich in family and friends, and |
|
memories of his accomplishments will be a continuing source of |
|
inspiration for all who knew him; now, therefore, be it |
|
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas |
|
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Anthony James |
|
Hawkins; and, be it further |
|
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
|
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of |
|
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Anthony |
|
James Hawkins. |