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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Terry Ruskowski concluded a decade-long tenure as |
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head coach of the Laredo Bucks hockey team, as well as his service |
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as general manager and president, in 2011, and it is indeed fitting |
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to recognize his outstanding accomplishments; and |
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WHEREAS, Appointed to lead the team for its inaugural season |
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in 2002-2003, "Coach Rosco" immediately guided the players to the |
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Central Hockey League playoffs; the following season, the Bucks |
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powered through a 21-game winning streak to record the league's |
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best regular season record and went on to win the CHL championship |
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and take home the President's Cup; after reaching the finals the |
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next season, the Bucks were champions once again in 2005-2006, and |
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Mr. Ruskowski was named Coach of the Year; under his direction, the |
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team won its division five consecutive times and made the finals in |
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eight out of the nine seasons that he was coach; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Ruskowski was named president of the franchise |
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in 2008 and also took on the role of general manager; he is known to |
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be generous and open-hearted, a lively conversationalist, and a |
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tireless ambassador for the team and for ice hockey; he gained the |
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true affection of Laredo fans with his friendly, approachable |
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demeanor and commitment to the community, which included sending |
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players to visit hundreds of classrooms to serve as role models and |
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to encourage students to stay in school; and |
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WHEREAS, A native of Saskatchewan, Mr. Ruskowski was also a |
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fan favorite during his 15 years as a professional hockey player; he |
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was drafted by the National Hockey League's Chicago Blackhawks in |
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1974 but chose to begin his career with the Houston Aeros, alongside |
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the legendary Gordie Howe, who led the team to the World Hockey |
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Association AVCO Cup in 1975; highly regarded as an intense and |
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fearless competitor with a ferocious work ethic, Mr. Ruskowski |
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became one of the top players in WHA history, winning another AVCO |
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Cup with the Winnipeg Jets; he played with several NHL teams after |
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the leagues merged, serving as captain of the Blackhawks, the Los |
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Angeles Kings, and the Pittsburgh Penguins, and he retired from the |
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Minnesota North Stars in 1989; and |
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WHEREAS, That same year, he moved into the coaching ranks, |
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and before joining the Bucks, he led four minor league hockey teams, |
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including the International Hockey League team that was also known |
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as the Houston Aeros; he was named United Hockey League Coach of the |
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Year in 2000-2001 while with the Knoxville Speed; and |
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WHEREAS, Terry Ruskowski has earned the respect, admiration, |
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and affection of Bucks fans and countless other Laredo residents, |
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and although his presence will be deeply missed, his contributions |
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to the community will continue to be appreciated for many years to |
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come; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas |
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Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby honor Terry Ruskowski for |
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his achievements as coach, general manager, and president of the |
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Laredo Bucks and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued |
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success as he embarks on the next exciting chapter of his life; and, |
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be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Mr. Ruskowski as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |