Bill Text: TX HR695 | 2021-2022 | 87th Legislature | Enrolled

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Bill Title: Congratulating the Baylor University men's basketball team on winning the 2021 NCAA Division I national championship.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2021-04-27 - Reported enrolled [HR695 Detail]

Download: Texas-2021-HR695-Enrolled.html

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H.R. No. 695

R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, A milestone in the history of Baylor University
athletics was realized on April 5, 2021, when the men's basketball
team earned its first NCAA Division I national championship; and
WHEREAS, The title game victory closed out an unforgettable
year that began with a 17-game winning streak; the Bears went on to
secure their inaugural Big 12 Conference regular-season crown after
posting a 13-1 league record, and the team realized another first
when it entered the NCAA tournament as a No. 1 seed; and
WHEREAS, Playing in the tournament's South Region, Baylor
notched commanding March Madness victories over Hartford,
Wisconsin, and Villanova before besting Arkansas to punch its
ticket to the Final Four for the first time since 1950; matching up
against the University of Houston in the semifinals, the Bears
showcased their precision shooting and stifling defense to prevail
78-59 and secure a berth in the championship contest; and
WHEREAS, Taking the floor at Lucas Oil Stadium in
Indianapolis for the marquee title game, Baylor faced the
undefeated and top-ranked squad from Gonzaga University; the Bears
were undaunted and took charge from the opening tip-off; jumping
out to a 9-0 lead and a 47-37 halftime advantage, they continued to
dominate down the stretch, never allowing Gonzaga to come closer
than nine points; emerging victorious by the final score of 86-70,
the Bears hoisted the championship trophy and closed out a
storybook year with an overall record of 28 wins and only two
losses; and
WHEREAS, Baylor was led by Jared Butler, the Final Four Most
Outstanding Player, who scored 22 points in the finale; notable
honors were also claimed by Davion Mitchell, who was named both the
Naismith and National Association of Basketball Coaches Defensive
Player of the Year; the Bears also received valuable contributions
throughout the season from the other members of the roster: Flo
Thamba, L. J. Cryer, Jordan Turner, Adam Flagler, Mark Vital,
Jackson Moffatt, Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua, Matthew Mayer, MaCio
Teague, Zach Loveday, Mark Paterson, and Dain Dainja; these
determined athletes were ably guided by head coach Scott Drew, who
won the Associated Press and Big 12 Coach of the Year awards and is
the youngest active coach in college basketball to win a national
championship; vital support was also provided by associate head
coach Jerome Tang, assistant coaches Alvin Brooks III and John
Jakus, and the other members of the Baylor staff; and
WHEREAS, Playing with exemplary skill, determination, and
teamwork, the Baylor Bears realized their season-long goal of
becoming national champions, and their achievement will forever be
a proud memory for the university's loyal fans throughout Texas and
beyond; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate the Baylor University men's
basketball team on winning the 2021 NCAA Division I national
championship and extend to the team's players, coaches, and staff
sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the Bears as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.
Leach
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 695 was adopted by the House on April
23, 2021, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House