Bill Text: MS HC50 | 2022 | Regular Session | Engrossed
Bill Title: Brittney Reese; commend and congratulate successes as an Olympic medalist.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2022-03-11 - Enrolled Bill Signed [HC50 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2022-HC50-Engrossed.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2022 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representative Williams-Barnes
House Concurrent Resolution 50
(As Adopted by House)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING MS. BRITTNEY REESE AND CONGRATULATING HER UPON HER SUCCESSES AS AN UNITED STATES OLYMPIC GOLD AND SILVER MEDALIST.
WHEREAS, the great Magnolia State is proud to lay claim as the mother state to some of the world's greatest and most elite individuals of remarkably stellar talent, as evidenced in the life and success of four-time Olympian, three-time Olympic medalist, and Gulfport native, Ms. Brittney Reese; and
WHEREAS, born in Inglewood, California, to David Reese and Carla Young, Gulfport, Mississippi, would become the place that the 5 feet 8 inches powerhouse and world renown long jumper, Brittney Reese would establish her home roots, as well as the place that would birth her love of the sport that literally catapulted her career and made her an inspirational household name, as she donned the mark and title of an United States Olympian; and
WHEREAS, it was during her years as a member of Gulfport High School's Track and Field Team that Ms. Reese perfected her form and technique as a state champion long and triple jumper, innate displays of sheer athleticism and grit, which broadened her purview to a world of possibilities as a future collegiate star and Olympic hopeful; and
WHEREAS, commencing her collegiate career in academia at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, where she was a stand-out member of the institution's women's basketball team, and she was recently inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame, Brittney would subsequently transfer to the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), and it was here the prominent presence of her ascent to the ranks as a top tier athlete skyrocketed while simultaneously completing her baccalaureate degree as an English major in 2008; and
WHEREAS, after solidifying her status as a national champion after winning the NCAA Outdoor Championship in long jump in 2007 and 2008, the little girl from Gulfport became more than a collegiate athlete, she became a local hero, national icon and Track and Field phenomenon after securing her place as a member of the U.S. Olympic Team for the 2008 Beijing Olympics while competing at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon, with a qualifying long jump of 22 feet 9.75 inches to give her a gold medal; and
WHEREAS, since stepping into the spotlight on the world stage in 2007, Brittney, now 15-year professional athlete, has competed in a combined total of 15 World Indoor/Outdoor Championships and Olympic Games, and amassed an impressive collection of 13 international medals, which include: four World Outdoor Championships gold medals for 2009, 2011, 2013 and 2017; three World Indoor Championships gold medals for 2010, 2012 and 2016; a World Indoor Championships silver medal for 2018; two Olympic silver medals for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games and the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games; and an Olympic gold medal for the 2012 London Olympic Games; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Reese's career accomplishments on the national stage from her years as a collegiate athlete under the guidelines of the NCAA, to her climactic rise into the noble rankings of the USATF as an eight-time national outdoor champion and four-time national indoor champion, to the display of her star power at each of the Olympic Trials in which she has competed in long jump, has been predominately plated in silver and gold, with an occasional hint of bronze sprinkled along the lining, as indicated by a staggering 23 medals, one of which accounted for a bronze medal in the high jump discipline; and
WHEREAS, living the story dreams are made of and igniting sparks of inspiration in young girls and women around the globe who have come to learn of and admire her perseverance to achieve the pinnacle of excellence in all of her professional undertakings, Brittney's exceptional gift and athletic feats have afforded her the unique opportunity to gain access and exposure to parts of the world, many can only imagine visiting, including: Osaka and Tokyo, Japan; Beijing, China; Berlin, Germany; Doha, Qatar; Daegu, South Korea; Istanbul, Turkey; London, United Kingdom; Moscow, Russia; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and practically every state in the contiguous United States; and
WHEREAS, with personal bests of 7.31 meters and 7.23 meters, Brittney, who has only been out jumped by two other women in American history, including the legendary and iconic Jackie Joyner-Kersee, remains committed to fostering the hopes of aspiring athletes, not only in her capacity as assistant track and field and high jumping coach at San Diego Mesa College since 2013, her philanthropy has led to the establishment of the annual B. Reese Scholarship in conjunction with her high school alma mater and Gulfport School District, as well as the Reese Scholarship coordinated by the Athletics Director of the Baltimore County Public schools for students who participated in the Allied Sports Program; and
WHEREAS, while the worlds lays its eyes to consider Ms. Reese's athletics success and inventory of awards and medals as honors worthy of recognition, Brittney would undoubtedly beg to differ, as she considers her greatest accomplishment and most prized possession takes on the form of motherhood to her son, Alex; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to take exception in recognizing the astounding accomplishments of such a remarkable individual as Brittney Reese, who ignited the flame to blaze her trail to international stardom and acclaim in the Gulfport community, and who continues to exude the genuine hospitality incumbently characteristic of one whose pride in Mississippi remains dear to her heart:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend Ms. Brittney Reese, congratulate her upon her successes as an United States Olympic gold and silver medalist, and extend our best wishes for continued success in all her personal and professional endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Ms. Brittney Reese and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.
