TITLE: Recognizing February 2, 2017, as Fritz Pollard Alliance Foundation Johnnie L. Cochran Jr. Salute to Excellence Day.

SUMMARY: Recognizing February 2, 2017, as Fritz Pollard Alliance Foundation Johnnie L. Cochran Jr. Salute to Excellence Day.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The Fritz Pollard Alliance Foundation is holding its 12th annual Johnnie L. Cochran Jr. Salute to Excellence awards ceremony in Houston on February 2, 2017; and WHEREAS, This gala event, traditionally held in the days immediately preceding the Super Bowl, honors individuals who have displayed outstanding performance on the field or in the front offices of the National Football League; and WHEREAS, Cofounded by Cyrus Mehri and Johnnie L. Cochran Jr. in 2003, the foundation is named for National Football League Hall of Famer Frederick Douglass "Fritz" Pollard, the league's first African American head coach; since its inception, the foundation has worked tirelessly to promote diversity and equal employment opportunities within the ranks of coaches, scouts, and other league personnel; to further those goals, the foundation has emphasized networking and mentoring, encouraged the adoption of rules and practices that foster diversity on teams, and advocated for the hiring and promotion of minority candidates on franchise staffs; and WHEREAS, In tribute to the many trailblazers who have helped to increase diversity in the National Football League, the foundation has adopted as its motto "We Drink from Wells We Did Not Dig," and this admirable organization is to be commended for all it is doing to advance a vital cause; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th Legislature, hereby recognize February 2, 2017, as Fritz Pollard Alliance Foundation Johnnie L. Cochran Jr. Salute to Excellence Day and commend all those associated with the foundation for their exemplary work; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be prepared for the foundation as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate. Miles President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on January 31, 2017.