Bill Text: MS HR139 | 2011 | Regular Session | Engrossed
Bill Title: David "D.J." Gardner; commend athletic success upon being named to First-Team Parade All-American Basketball Team.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2011-04-05 - Enrolled Bill Signed [HR139 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2011-HR139-Engrossed.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2011 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representative Sullivan
House Resolution 139
(As Adopted by House)
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE ATHLETIC SUCCESS AND PROWESS OF DAVID "D.J." GARDNER OF OKOLONA HIGH SCHOOL AND CONGRATULATING HIM UPON BEING THE FIRST MALE BASKETBALL PLAYER FROM NORTHEAST MISSISSIPPI NAMED TO THE FIRST-TEAM PARADE ALL-AMERICAN BASKETBALL TEAM AND BEING AWARDED A SCHOLARSHIP TO PLAY BASKETBALL AT MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY.
WHEREAS, David "D.J." Gardner, a towering six-foot, seven-inch, 205-pound senior powerhouse guard/forward for the Okolona High School Chieftains Basketball Team, recently received one of prep basketball's most prestigious honors upon being named to the First-Team Parade All-American Basketball Team, and thus becoming the first male player from Northeast Mississippi to obtain such an honor; and
WHEREAS, a highly recruited hard-court standout, D.J., sealed his recruitment to play collegiate basketball by signing a letter of intent to play at Mississippi State University in the fall of 2011; and
WHEREAS, a versatile athlete who has excelled on both the offense and defense, D.J., whose love of the game of basketball exceeds that held by most of his peers, further evidences this innate passion by translating it to his performance both on and off the court; and
WHEREAS, D.J. is a well-rounded young man with diverse interests, who becomes one of two Mississippians named to this elite squad of players, joining fourth-team pick, Johnny O'Bryant, a six-foot, ten-inch center from Cleveland East Side High School, the first selections since 2005, when former Lanier Bulldog and current NBA Golden State Warrior team captain, Monta Ellis, was named to the team; and
WHEREAS, Gardner's selection to the Parade All-American Team is not just big news in Okolona and the State of Mississippi, but it is unequivocally big news throughout the nation, as the 40-member team, which is divided into four ten-man squads, dates back to its establishment in 1957, and reigns as the longest running prep All-American basketball team in the country; and
WHEREAS, with a humility that is a product of his focus on constantly improving, after having spent several late nights in Okolona's gym hoisting shot after shot, D.J. was chosen to participate in the 2011 National High School Slam Dunk and 3-Point Championships at the Berry Center in Cypress, Texas, on April 1, which will air on CBS on April 3; and
WHEREAS, as a testament of his astounding athleticism, Gardner averaged 24.2 points, 11.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game as a junior and climaxed his senior year with a double-double, scoring 32 points, grabbing 10.4 rebounds, dishing 3.1 assists, while shooting 40% from the 3-point range and ending his career with the Chieftains with 2,783 points; and
WHEREAS, having been a mainstay on the Okolona team for the past four years, D.J. is swift to credit his teammates with helping him reap all his rewards; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to bring special recognition to those achieving excellence, and to applaud David "D.J." Gardner as he prepares to embark on the next phase of his academic and basketball career:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the athletic success and prowess of David "D.J." Gardner of Okolona High School and congratulate him upon being the first male basketball player from Northeast Mississippi named to the First-Team Parade All-American Basketball Team, upon being awarded a scholarship to play basketball at Mississippi State University and extend heartiest wishes for continued success during his collegiate years and beyond, both on the court and in all of his future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to David "D.J." Gardner, Okolona High School and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.
