82R17111 JBA-D
By: Hancock H.R. No. 1109
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Champion gymnast Colby Bannister of North Richland
Hills has been selected to compete for Team USA in the 2011 Special
Olympics World Summer Games in Athens, Greece; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Bannister is one of just two male gymnasts who
will be representing the United States at the games, which will take
place from June 25 through July 4; he will be part of an American
entourage of more than 300 athletes who will join more than 7,000
other competitors from 185 nations around the globe; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Bannister has been actively competing in
gymnastics for the past two years, and in that short time, he has
established himself as a top athlete, winning 19 gold and 3 silver
medals; he is coached by Scott Taylor and LeAnn Sweny of Top Flight
Gymnastics Training Center in Southlake; and
WHEREAS, In recognition of his abilities, Mr. Bannister has
been named the Area 11 Male Athlete of the Year; he has also earned
the Area 11 Outreach Award, and his family was named the Special
Olympics Texas Family of the Year; Mr. Bannister serves on the board
of directors for Special Olympics Texas and travels throughout the
United States promoting this outstanding program as a Senior Global
Messenger; he enjoys public speaking and motivating others by
telling his story; and
WHEREAS, Competing on the world stage as a representative of
one's country is both an honor and a challenge, and Colby
Bannister's talent and determination are sure to serve him well as
he takes part in the Athens games; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate Colby Bannister on being selected
to compete in gymnastics at the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer
Games as a member of Team USA and extend to him sincere best wishes
in his quest to bring home the gold; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mr. Bannister as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.