TITLE: Honoring Drew Brees for his outstanding achievements in football and for his charitable works.

SUMMARY: Honoring Drew Brees for his outstanding achievements in football and for his charitable works.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Texan Drew Brees, who has excelled as a football player at the high school, college, and professional levels, is also a notable philanthropist, and he is indeed deserving of recognition for his accomplishments; and WHEREAS, Born in Austin on January 15, 1979, Drew Christopher Brees is the nephew of Marty Akins, a former University of Texas quarterback, and the grandson of Ray Akins, a legendary coach who worked at Freer High School, Gregory-Portland High School, and other campuses; Mr. Brees spent his boyhood summers attending the practices run by his grandfather, which gave him an early introduction to gridiron fundamentals; and WHEREAS, This versatile athlete attended Westlake High School, where he lettered in football, basketball, and baseball; in his senior year, he quarterbacked for the team that went 16-0 and won the 5A state championship, and he was named the conference Offensive Player of the Year; after enrolling at Purdue University, he established himself as one of the top collegiate players in the nation; as a senior, he led Purdue to a Big Ten Championship and an appearance in the Rose Bowl, and he won the Maxwell Award, which goes to the college player of the year; he also earned academic all-American honors while working toward his bachelor's degree in Industrial Management from Purdue's prestigious Krannert School of Management; and WHEREAS, Drafted by San Diego in the second round of the 2001 National Football League draft, he spent five seasons with the Chargers before signing with the New Orleans Saints in 2006; over the course of his 10 years in professional football, he has been a member of five Pro Bowl teams and named the 2004 NFL Comeback Player of the Year, the 2006 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year, and the 2008 NFL Offensive Player of the Year; in 2009, he attained one of the ultimate measures of success for a pro quarterback, leading the Saints through the playoffs and helping them secure a 31-17 victory in Super Bowl XLIV; he was named the game's MVP, and in further recognition of the inspirational leadership he provided to his team and to the entire city of New Orleans, he was chosen as the Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year for 2010; and WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Mr. Brees enjoys the love and support of his wife, Brittany, and their two sons, Baylen and Bowen; the couple have focused on helping others by establishing the Brees Dream Foundation, which promotes cancer research and provides care, education, and opportunities for children in need; to date, the foundation has committed more than $6 million to charitable causes and academic institutions in New Orleans, San Diego, and West Lafayette, Indiana; and WHEREAS, Drew Brees has proven himself an athlete of rare dedication and ability as well as an admirable public figure who generously gives back to the community, and he is an inspiration to numerous people in the Lone Star State and across the nation; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas Legislature hereby honor Drew Brees for his outstanding achievements on the gridiron and for his charitable works and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Mr. Brees as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Raymond Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 207 was adopted by the House on February 24, 2011, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House