TITLE: Honoring Humberto "Lefty" Barrera of Robstown on his achievements as an amateur and professional boxer.

SUMMARY: Honoring Humberto "Lefty" Barrera of Robstown on his achievements as an amateur and professional boxer.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Humberto Barrera is a notable figure in Texas boxing, whose accomplishments continue to be celebrated more than 45 years after his last appearance in the ring; and WHEREAS, "Lefty" Barrera became an accomplished fighter while he was still a student at Robstown High School, finishing second in the 1959 national Golden Gloves tournament and returning the next year to win the title as an 18-year-old; after his victory at the 1960 event, a fan encouraged him to try out for the Olympics, and though he had previously been completely unaware of the event, he decided to take part in the U.S. Olympic boxing trials that were scheduled to take place the following month; and WHEREAS, Facing other top fighters in the nation, he scored a series of victories to earn a spot in the flyweight finals; with a trip to the Olympics on the line and nursing several injuries, Mr. Barrera won a hard-fought match to secure his place on the 1960 U.S. team, a squad that also included light heavyweight Cassius Clay, who would later take the name Muhammad Ali; and WHEREAS, Mr. Barrera won his first two bouts at the Olympic Games in Rome despite injuring his right thumb, but in his third bout he was judged the loser in a controversial split decision that incited loud booing from the spectators and prompted the U.S. coaches to file a formal protest; he finished his amateur career with a record of 42 wins and 4 losses; and WHEREAS, Turning professional in 1961, Mr. Barrera spent four more years in the ring; he registered 19 wins, nine by knockout, against just three losses, and one of the highlights of his pro career was beating the world's No. 3-ranked bantamweight; highly sought after by promoters for the consistent quality of his fights, he regularly drew large crowds to watch him display his boxing skills before he hung up his gloves in 1965 to become an engineer; and WHEREAS, In recognition of his exceptional achievements, Mr. Barrera was named a member of the inaugural class of the Corpus Christi Boxing Hall of Fame, and he continues to hold the distinction of being the only boxer from the Robstown area to have fought as an Olympian; he chronicled his experiences in the book My Journey Through the 1960 Olympic Games;and WHEREAS, Lefty Barrera distinguished himself as an athlete of rare ability who represented his nation in the world's premier international sports showcase, and his achievements remain a source of pride for residents of the Texas Gulf Coast; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas Legislature hereby honor Humberto Barrera for his achievements as an amateur and professional boxer and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued happiness; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Mr. Barrera as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Herrero Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1422 was adopted by the House on April 24, 2013, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House