Chuck Norris' ties to Texas go beyond "Walker, Texas Ranger."
On Wednesday, Mayor Will Wynn presented the martial arts expert and actor with the Honorary Austin Citizen Award. The mayor also declared this Friday, Sept. 22, as "Chuck Norris Day." Norris is holding his World Combat League West Coast Playoffs on that same day at the Erwin Center.
Wynn said Norris is using the tournament as a means to benefit and fund the program, "Kick Start." The Texas-based program, created by Norris, helps teach the skills and strengths of martial arts to at-risk children. Wynn said he is proud to honor Norris for his kind and generous work in helping Texas children discover their full potential.
Shortly after being presented with the award, Norris said he will use Texas as his "beacon state" to show what Kick Start can achieve. He said he is confident his program will directly and visibly influence Texas cities by reducing drugs, violence and gang activity. The skills developed in martial arts will provide Kick Start children with a greater level of confidence in addition to the ability to think and fight for themselves, Norris said.
The proceeds taken in by the World Combat League will be used to fund and expand his developmental program, Norris said. Although he is 66 years old, Norris said he still understands and can connect with underprivileged children on a personal level.
"My father, an alcoholic, was rarely home when I was a child," Norris said "I was raised solely by my mother until the age of 19, when I served in Korea with the United States Air Force."
While in Korea, Norris learned and perfected his martial arts and hand-to-hand combat skills, he said.
As a celebrity, Norris said he tries to utilize both his experience and knowledge as a means to help people in need.
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