MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Little, Kirby

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING PATRICK COX, JR., OF PEARL, MISSISSIPPI, FOR EARNING THE "YES I CAN!" INTERNATIONAL HONOR RECOGNIZING OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH WITH DISABILITIES.

WHEREAS, Patrick Cox, Jr., of Pearl, a champion cutting-horse rider, has been named a recipient of the "Yes I Can!" award, an international honor recognizing outstanding achievements of children and youth with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, Patrick, 19, who is legally blind and wears a hearing aid to compensate for a severe to profound hearing loss, out of thousands of nominees from the United States, Canada and Russia, is one of only 35 selected for the tribute this year by the Foundation for Exceptional Children; and

WHEREAS, he will receive the award in an April 7 ceremony in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, from "Yes I Can!" spokesman Neil Smith, an all-pro defensive end for the NFL's Denver Broncos; and

WHEREAS, Cox was nominated by Mississippi Lieutenant Governor Amy Tuck, a friend of the Cox family, and Brenda Wagner, special education director for Pearl public schools; and

WHEREAS, he entered formal competition for the first time less than two years ago, and has since won several awards in the exacting cutting-horse competition, including Dixie National events in Jackson; and

WHEREAS, Patrick saddles up with a Velcro seatbelt and wears a cowboy hat pulled over a batting helmet to protect his head; the helmet is wired with voice-activated communicators, enabling his trainer to tell him where to ride; the rider's reflexes must be impeccable; and

WHEREAS, Patrick's next competition will be March 18, during the National Cutting Horse Association's Chevy Trucks Eastern National Championships in Jackson; it will be his last appearance in youth competition, his father said; thereafter he will compete as an adult; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the achievements of this remarkable young man who has brought honor to his community, his fellow disabled youth and to the State of Mississippi:

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 Patrick Cox, Jr., of Pearl, Mississippi, for earning the "Yes I Can!" International Honor recognizing outstanding achievements of children and youth with disabilities, and wish him continued success in future competitions and in all of his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be presented to Patrick and his family and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.