H.R. No. 121
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Texas athletes have a long history of excelling at
the highest levels of competition, and Clint Dempsey of the United
States Men's National Team furthered that tradition with his
exemplary performance at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Dempsey shined throughout the tournament,
starting all four of the USMNT matches and scoring two crucial goals
from his forward position; in the process, he helped the United
States advance out of the group stage and into the Round of 16,
while becoming the first American player to score in three
consecutive World Cups; and
WHEREAS, This superb athlete tallied his first goal in the
team's opening match against Ghana, evading his defender in the
penalty area and placing a perfect shot inside the goalposts to give
the U.S. a lead just 32 seconds into the contest; Mr. Dempsey also
displayed rare grit and determination by remaining on the field
after suffering a broken nose late in the first half, as the U.S.
won by a score of 2-1; in the ensuing matchup with Portugal, he
deftly controlled a crossing pass from teammate Graham Zusi in the
81st minute and put the ball in the back of the net for a late
go-ahead goal; and
WHEREAS, A member of the national team since 2004,
Mr. Dempsey has been recognized for his efforts during
international competition with a number of accolades, including
three U.S. Soccer Male Athlete of the Year awards and three Futbol
de Primera Player of the Year awards; in addition, he has been named
Man of the Match on several occasions, and he won the prestigious
FIFA Bronze Ball at the 2009 Confederations Cup for his attacking
style of play; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Dempsey was a standout performer on the
Nacogdoches High School soccer team, and he went on to achieve
notable success in college as an All-American midfielder and
forward for Furman University; he was drafted in 2004 by Major
League Soccer's New England Revolution, where he scored 25 goals in
three seasons before continuing his professional career overseas
with the Fulham Football Club and the Tottenham Hotspurs Football
Club of the English Premier League; in 2013, he returned to the U.S.
and his MLS roots by transferring to the Seattle Sounders Football
Club, leading the team to a berth in the MLS Cup Playoffs; and
WHEREAS, Clint Dempsey has distinguished himself as one of
the finest footballers to ever wear the red, white, and blue, and
his accomplishments on the game's biggest stage are a source of
great pride and excitement for his many fans across the country and
in the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate Clint Dempsey on his performance as
a member of the United States Men's National Team at the 2014 FIFA
World Cup and extend to him best wishes for continued success; and,
be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mr. Dempsey as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.
Clardy
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 121 was adopted by the House on
February 19, 2015, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House