45th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2001

Manny M. Aragon

REQUESTING THE CAPITOL RECOGNITION SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE NEW MEXICO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO CONSIDER HONORING NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE HALL OF FAMER TOMMY MCDONALD.

WHEREAS, Tommy McDonald of Roy, New Mexico, is the only New Mexican to be inducted into the national football league hall of fame; and

WHEREAS, Tommy McDonald's sportsmanship, determination and resilience personified the spirit of New Mexico, as he leapt to his feet following every hit, snagged seemingly every pass that was thrown his way and outran frustrated defenders; and

WHEREAS, at five feet, nine inches tall and just one hundred seventy-two pounds, Tommy McDonald is the smallest player enshrined in the national football league hall of fame, but arguably has the biggest heart of anyone who ever played the game; and

WHEREAS, Tommy McDonald drew praise from legends of the game such as Vince Lombardi, who said he could have won a championship every year if he had eleven Tommy McDonalds to take the field; and

WHEREAS, in 1961, Tommy McDonald caught sixty-four passes for one thousand one hundred forty four yards and thirteen touchdowns -- leading the league in all three categories; and

WHEREAS, the following season, in 1962, Tommy McDonald caught fifty-eight passes for a national football league best one thousand one hundred forty-six yards and ten more touchdowns; and

WHEREAS, during his career, Tommy McDonald played for the Cowboys, Rams, Falcons and Browns; and

WHEREAS, the New Mexico legislative council has instituted a policy by which New Mexicans may be recognized in the capitol and capitol north upon the recommendation of the capitol recognition subcommittee of the legislative council;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that Tommy McDonald be recognized by the legislature and thanked for his stellar representation of the state of New Mexico during his career in the national football league; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the New Mexico legislative council be requested to forward to the capitol recognition subcommittee the recommendation that Tommy McDonald be considered for suitable permanent recognition in the capitol or capitol north; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to Tommy McDonald and to the director of the legislative council service.