H.R. No. 1318
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Dallas Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki retired from the
National Basketball Association on April 11, 2019, and this
occasion offers a welcome opportunity to salute his outstanding
accomplishments in the sport; and
WHEREAS, The 2018-2019 season was Mr. Nowitzki's 21st with
the Mavericks, which set an NBA record for the longest tenure with
one team; during his final campaign, he moved into sixth place on
the list of all-time leading scorers in NBA history, and when he
netted 20 points in his final game, he brought his career total to a
remarkable 31,560; his farewell year also saw him take the floor for
his 14th All-Star Game; and
WHEREAS, A native of Würzburg, Germany, this exceptional
athlete played pro basketball in his home country as a teenager and
first gained the attention of NBA scouts in 1998; after being
selected by the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA draft that year, he was
immediately traded to Dallas; his presence helped transform the
franchise, and during 2000-2001, the Mavs recorded the first of
what would become 11 consecutive seasons in which they won 50 games
or more; in 2006, he helped the team make its debut in the NBA
Finals, and the next year he became the first European player to
receive the league's Most Valuable Player honor; and
WHEREAS, In 2011, Mr. Nowitzki earned a place in the pantheon
of legendary Texas sports heroes by leading the Mavs to the NBA
championship, and he was named the finals MVP for his extraordinary
performance; his elite position among Dallas players is also
reflected in the record books; he is the team's all-time leader in
points, rebounds, blocked shots, minutes played, field goals, and
three-pointers; and
WHEREAS, Selected to the All-NBA Team 12 years in a row,
Mr. Nowitzki's accolades also include the Twyman-Stokes Teammate
of the Year Award, which recognized his selfless play and
leadership, and the Magic Johnson Award, which honored his
cooperation with the media and the public; moreover, he is a
two-time recipient of the NBA Cares Community Assist Award, and he
oversees the Dirk Nowitzki Foundation, which funds charitable
initiatives related to children; and
WHEREAS, Over the course of more than two decades, Dirk
Nowitzki distinguished himself as one the NBA's finest players, and
the success he achieved as a member of the Dallas Mavericks will be
remembered and admired long into the future; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 86th Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate Dirk Nowitzki on his retirement
from the NBA and commend him on his exemplary career in professional
basketball; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mr. Nowitzki as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.
Neave
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1318 was adopted by the House on May
3, 2019, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House