81R1093 JH-D
By: Branch H.C.R. No. 11
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Gymnast Nastia Liukin of Parker brought great honor
to the United States of America by winning five medals in the
gymnastics competition at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing; and
WHEREAS, In a masterful demonstration of her grace and
athletic ability, Ms. Liukin claimed the gold medal in the Women's
Individual All-Around Final and added two silver medals and one
bronze medal in individual events as well as a silver medal in the
team competition; her success equals the record for the most medals
won by a U.S. gymnast in one Olympics and is the latest achievement
in her exceptional career; and
WHEREAS, Anastasia Liukin was born on October 30, 1989, in
Moscow, Russia; her mother, Anna, was a world champion in rhythmic
gymnastics while her father, Valeri, won two gold medals and two
silver medals at the 1988 Olympic Games as a member of the Soviet
gymnastics team; the family moved to the United States when Nastia
was two years old, and she began competing at age six; throughout
her career, she has been coached by her father, a founder of the
World Olympic Gymnastics Academy located in the Dallas-Fort Worth
area, where Ms. Liukin continues to train; and
WHEREAS, In 2005, she began competing at the senior
international elite level and that same year won the national
all-around title and was world champion in two events; her progress
was slowed the following year when she suffered a serious ankle
injury, but she battled back in 2007 and claimed the world title on
the balance beam; in June 2008 at the Visa Championships, she won
two events and finished second in the all-around competition to set
the stage for her Olympic appearance in Beijing; and
WHEREAS, After joining with her fellow U.S. gymnasts to place
second in the team competition on August 13, Ms. Liukin achieved her
greatest triumph two days later, when she was crowned the
all-around Olympic champion; this victory was made even sweeter by
the fact that her father had narrowly missed winning the all-around
title 20 years earlier in the 1988 Olympics; in the days that
followed, she also earned a bronze medal in floor exercise and
silver medals in the balance beam and uneven bars events; and
WHEREAS, The Olympics stand as one of the most prominent
athletic showcases in the world and offer a rare opportunity for
athletes to represent their home nations as they strive for
excellence; with her amazing performances in Beijing, Nastia Liukin
won the admiration of countless people around the globe, and she
stands as a notable addition to the outstanding athletic tradition
of the United States of America; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 81st Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby congratulate Nastia Liukin on winning five medals in the
gymnastics competition at the 2008 Olympic Games and that she be
extended sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Ms. Liukin as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives and Senate.