H.R. No. 1568
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Texas A&M University alumnus John Ball is embarking
on a unique adventure and raising money for a good cause by walking
coast-to-coast across the nation during the spring and summer of
2015; and
WHEREAS, Calling himself the "Walking Aggie," this hardy
58-year-old pilot from San Antonio plans to walk 2,673 miles from
California to Florida in 170 days, arriving in Daytona Beach on
August 17; in addition to taking on an arduous challenge, he is also
raising money for the Walking Aggie Endowed Ring Scholarship, which
will help Texas A&M students of limited means buy the coveted but
expensive Aggie Ring, which A&M students who have earned 90 credit
hours are eligible to wear; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Ball began his journey on the beach in La Jolla,
California, on March 1, 2015, and unlike many other cross-country
walkers, he is traveling alone without a support vehicle, carrying
everything he needs in a backpack and staying in motels, in his
tent, or with Aggie families or other people he meets along the way;
supporters and fellow Aggies can follow his progress by reading his
daily posts and viewing photographs on the Walking Aggie website;
he is also carrying a GPS device, which allows visitors to the
website to track his position moment by moment, in real time; and
WHEREAS, A 1978 graduate of Texas A&M, Mr. Ball spent 26
years in the U.S. Air Force, serving as a C-5 Galaxy transport pilot
in Grenada, Panama, Bosnia, Afghanistan, and Iraq, as well as
completing a two-year stint piloting Air Force Two for vice
presidents Al Gore and Dick Cheney; he retired from the air force in
2006 at the rank of colonel, and in civilian life, he continues to
serve his nation by training air force C-5 pilots in San Antonio;
and
WHEREAS, By undertaking this rigorous test of endurance,
determination, and shoe leather, Mr. Ball is simultaneously
helping students of his beloved alma mater and making himself a
source of pride and inspiration for Aggies everywhere; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
Legislature hereby commend John Ball on his ambitious endeavor to
create the Walking Aggie Endowed Ring Scholarship and extend to him
sincere best wishes for good weather, safe travels, and great
success in his undertaking; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mr. Ball as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.
Flynn
VanDeaver
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1568 was adopted by the House on April
16, 2015, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House