SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 567
In Memory
of
John Wesley Jones II
WHEREAS, Sports fans in the Lone Star State and beyond are
mourning the loss of Johnny "Lam" Jones on March 15, 2019, at the
age of 60; and
WHEREAS, Born in Lawton, Oklahoma, on April 4, 1958, John
Wesley Jones II moved to Texas with his family during his youth
and distinguished himself as a track star and an All-State
running back for the Lampasas High School Badgers; by the age of
18, he was sprinting world-class times, and he gained
widespread recognition with his legendary performance at the
1976 state track meet; after winning the 100-yard and 220-yard
dashes, he closed a gap of more than 40 yards during the anchor
leg of the mile relay, passing the entire field and inspiring
the crowd to swarm the track in excitement; the relay victory
clinched the team championship for Lampasas High, and Mr. Jones
would later reflect on that accomplishment as one of the most
exciting experiences of his life; and
WHEREAS, Later that summer, Mr. Jones competed in the 1976
Summer Olympics in Montreal, becoming the youngest athlete from
Texas to ever earn a berth on the United States track and field
team; he won an Olympic gold medal as a member of the 4x100 relay
team, which set a world record with a time of 38.33 seconds, and
he also competed in the 100-yard dash, finishing sixth; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Jones went on to a stellar career at The
University of Texas at Austin; he ran track his freshman year,
winning four events at the 1977 Southwest Conference meet and
setting UT track records at 100 yards, 100 meters, and 220 yards;
on the gridiron, he first played running back and then wide
receiver for the Longhorns, earning All-American and
All-Southwest Conference honors as well as the team Most Valuable
Player award in 1978; it was during his time on the 40 Acres that
he first became known as "Lam" Jones, a nickname bestowed by
football head coach Darrell Royal in reference to Mr. Jones'
hometown of Lampasas; and
WHEREAS, A highly touted NFL prospect, this skilled
athlete was drafted by the New York Jets in 1980 and signed the
first contract worth more than a million dollars in league
history; his pro career spanned eight years, but injuries
limited his performance and playing time with the Jets, and he
retired in 1987 after brief stints with the San Francisco 49ers
and Dallas Cowboys; and
WHEREAS, In recent decades, Mr. Jones dedicated himself to
educating youth on the dangers of drugs and alcohol; he also
became involved in the Lay Witnesses for Christ sports ministry,
and he was a longtime supporter of the Special Olympics; in
recognition of his remarkable athletic accomplishments, he was
inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame, The University of
Texas Athletics Hall of Honor, the Texas High School Football
Hall of Fame, and the Lampasas Football Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, Widely considered one of the greatest athletes
in Texas history, Lam Jones remains a source of great pride to
the residents of Lampasas, and his many achievements will
continue to be remembered and admired for years to come; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 86th
Legislature, hereby pay tribute to the life of Johnny Lam Jones
and extend sincere condolences to his relatives and friends; and,
be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas Senate adjourns
this day, it do so in memory of Johnny Lam Jones.
Buckingham
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on April 11, 2019, by a
rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate