H.R. No. 207
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Texan Drew Brees, who has excelled as a football
player at the high school, college, and professional levels, is
also a notable philanthropist, and he is indeed deserving of
recognition for his accomplishments; and
WHEREAS, Born in Austin on January 15, 1979, Drew Christopher
Brees is the nephew of Marty Akins, a former University of Texas
quarterback, and the grandson of Ray Akins, a legendary coach who
worked at Freer High School, Gregory-Portland High School, and
other campuses; Mr. Brees spent his boyhood summers attending the
practices run by his grandfather, which gave him an early
introduction to gridiron fundamentals; and
WHEREAS, This versatile athlete attended Westlake High
School, where he lettered in football, basketball, and baseball; in
his senior year, he quarterbacked for the team that went 16-0 and
won the 5A state championship, and he was named the conference
Offensive Player of the Year; after enrolling at Purdue University,
he established himself as one of the top collegiate players in the
nation; as a senior, he led Purdue to a Big Ten Championship and an
appearance in the Rose Bowl, and he won the Maxwell Award, which
goes to the college player of the year; he also earned academic
all-American honors while working toward his bachelor's degree in
Industrial Management from Purdue's prestigious Krannert School of
Management; and
WHEREAS, Drafted by San Diego in the second round of the 2001
National Football League draft, he spent five seasons with the
Chargers before signing with the New Orleans Saints in 2006; over
the course of his 10 years in professional football, he has been a
member of five Pro Bowl teams and named the 2004 NFL Comeback Player
of the Year, the 2006 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year, and the 2008
NFL Offensive Player of the Year; in 2009, he attained one of the
ultimate measures of success for a pro quarterback, leading the
Saints through the playoffs and helping them secure a 31-17 victory
in Super Bowl XLIV; he was named the game's MVP, and in further
recognition of the inspirational leadership he provided to his team
and to the entire city of New Orleans, he was chosen as the Sports
Illustrated Sportsman of the Year for 2010; and
WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Mr. Brees enjoys the love and
support of his wife, Brittany, and their two sons, Baylen and Bowen;
the couple have focused on helping others by establishing the Brees
Dream Foundation, which promotes cancer research and provides care,
education, and opportunities for children in need; to date, the
foundation has committed more than $6 million to charitable causes
and academic institutions in New Orleans, San Diego, and West
Lafayette, Indiana; and
WHEREAS, Drew Brees has proven himself an athlete of rare
dedication and ability as well as an admirable public figure who
generously gives back to the community, and he is an inspiration to
numerous people in the Lone Star State and across the nation; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby honor Drew Brees for his outstanding
achievements on the gridiron and for his charitable works and
extend to him sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mr. Brees as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.
Raymond
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 207 was adopted by the House on
February 24, 2011, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House