SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 583
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to
welcome Mitchell Marcus and Jon Montanez to the State Capitol; and
WHEREAS, Mitchell Marcus is a senior at Coronado High
School and team manager for the Thunderbirds basketball team; Jon
Montanez is a member of the Franklin High School Cougars
basketball team, the Thunderbirds' crosstown rival; and
WHEREAS, Near the end of the recent season, as the
undefeated Coronado Thunderbirds were preparing for their last
home game, a contest against the Franklin Cougars on February 12,
2013, Coronado coach Peter Morales had his team manager, Mitchell
Marcus, suit up for the game, as an expression of appreciation
for the senior's boundless enthusiasm and his three years of
dedication as manager of the team; Mitchell has a developmental
disability that prevents him from playing competitively, but his
lifelong love of the sport is unequalled; and
WHEREAS, Near the end of the game, but with his team
leading by only 10 points and their undefeated record on the
line, Coach Morales further surprised Mitchell by putting him in
the game, so that he would have the opportunity to realize his
long-held dream of scoring a basket; Mitchell had never practiced
with the team, but his teammates did their best to help him score;
as the clock wound down, with 13 seconds left in the game, the
ball was out of bounds and in the hands of an opposing team
member, Jon Montanez; and
WHEREAS, Jon had recognized that something bigger than the
outcome of one game was at stake in the opposing team's efforts to
give their teammate his shot; in an extraordinary and selfless
act of sportsmanship, Jon gave Mitchell a final chance that
Mitchell's coach and teammates had not been able to provide: he
called out to Mitchell, passed him the ball, and exhorted him to
shoot it; and
WHEREAS, With the help of his teammates, and at the last
moment, Mitchell scored, sealing the Thunderbirds' 55-40
victory; the buzzer sounded and the hall erupted in cheers as
fans of both teams rejoiced and Mitchell's teammates carried him
off the court on their shoulders; and
WHEREAS, Thunderbirds coach Peter Morales and Cougars
coach Todd Bostic have clearly established basketball programs
in which the heat of rivalry and competition is leavened with
sportsmanship and respect for their opponents, and their efforts
played a vital role in creating an environment in which such an
indelible event could unfold; and
WHEREAS, The example set by Jon Montanez and Mitchell
Marcus has served as an inspiration to people across the nation,
and it is truly fitting that these fine young men be recognized
for their courage, their integrity, and their dedication to the
sport of basketball and to the ideals of sportsmanship; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
83rd Legislature, hereby commend Mitchell Marcus and Jon Montanez on
their exemplary display of heart and character as team members, as
rivals, and as sportsmen and extend to them best wishes for continued
success in all their endeavors; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
them as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate.
Rodriguez, Patrick
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on April 22, 2013.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate
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Member, Texas Senate