MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Ferris

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING VICKSBURG, MISSISSIPPI, NATIVE AND FORMER BUFFALO BILLS' OFFENSIVE GUARD BILLY SHAW UPON HIS INDUCTION INTO THE PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME.

WHEREAS, Billy Shaw, who once starred at Carr Central in Vicksburg, Mississippi, has received the mandatory 80% of the votes needed to be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio; and

WHEREAS, Billy Shaw will be the first player from Vicksburg in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and the seventh Mississippian to be selected; he is only the fourth guard elected to the Hall of Fame, and will be the first who played his entire career in the American Football League; and

WHEREAS, Shaw and the rest of the Class of 1999, including such pro football greats as Lawrence Taylor, Eric Dickerson, Ozzie Newsome and Tom Mack, will be officially inducted in ceremonies to be held on August 7, 1999, where they will join all-time greats such as Walter Payton, Jim Brown, Johnny Unitas, Bart Starr, Terry Bradshaw and Roger Staubach; and

WHEREAS, Shaw, who was nicknamed "Steady Eddie" by his friends, was an All-American at Georgia Tech, was one of the most decorated linemen of the 1960's: he was three-time All-SEC, was named to the All-Time Bobby Dodd Era Team (1945-66), played in the North-South All-Star Game, the Senior Bowl and Coaches' All-American Game, he is in the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame, the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame, and the Georgia Tech University Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, the 6-foot-3 Shaw, who was 255 pounds when he played football, was the Buffalo Bills' Captain for 7 years, was selected to football's Pro Bowl 8 times, was also selected to pro football's All-Decade Team of the 1960's and the all-time AFL team after helping the Bills to four straight championship games, and two titles, and his No. 66 which hangs in Rich Stadium's Wall of Fame, was retired in 1988; and

WHEREAS, while playing in high school, Shaw transferred to Carr from Jett for his senior season in 1956, where he played for Coach Gene Allen and won the Big Eight Title; and

WHEREAS, now a resident of Toccoa, Georgia, with three daughters and five grandchildren, Shaw is in the concrete business, plays golf and speaks at churches and civic organizations, and is Chairman of the Deacons at Ebenezer Baptist Church; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this professional football star, who brings honor to his native state where he received his foundation in education and sports:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Vicksburg native and former Buffalo Bills' offensive guard Billy Shaw upon his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, to be held on August 7, 1999, and wish him continued success in his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Billy Shaw and be made available to members of the Capitol Press Corps.