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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The Texas A&M University-Commerce football team |
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reached the pinnacle of success by winning the National Collegiate |
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Athletic Association Division II national championship in Kansas |
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City, Kansas, on December 16, 2017; and |
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WHEREAS, The Lions compiled a stellar overall record of 14 |
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wins and only 1 defeat during 2017, the winningest season in program |
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history; after capturing the Lone Star Conference crown for the |
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fourth year in a row, the A&M-Commerce players went on to compile |
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playoff victories over Winona State, Central Washington, Minnesota |
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State, and Harding Universities before facing off against the |
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University of West Florida in the title game; and |
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WHEREAS, Led by quarterback Luis Perez, who threw for 323 |
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yards and two touchdowns, A&M-Commerce bested West Florida by a |
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final score of 37-27, securing the university's first NCAA national |
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title; the victory also marked the 10th consecutive win for the |
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Lions, giving them the longest undefeated streak in all of Division |
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II football; and |
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WHEREAS, A&M-Commerce excelled with a true team effort, |
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receiving valuable contributions from each member of the roster |
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over the course of the 2017 campaign; these dedicated athletes were |
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guided by head coach Colby Carthel and the members of his staff, |
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whose leadership and expertise helped inspire the squad to play to |
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its full potential; and |
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WHEREAS, Through hard work, exceptional skill, and an |
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enduring commitment to excellence, the 2017 Lions proved themselves |
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the finest Division II team in the nation, and their achievement |
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will long be remembered and celebrated by A&M-Commerce students, |
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alumni, and fans; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 86th Texas |
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Legislature hereby congratulate the Texas A&M University-Commerce |
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football team on winning the 2017 NCAA Division II national |
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championship and extend to its players, coaches, and staff best |
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wishes for the future; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for the team as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
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House of Representatives. |