House Resolution 39

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING MR. JIM KELLY FOR HIS MANY ATHLETIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY SERVICE.

WHEREAS, Mr. Jim Kelly is a talented professional athlete who has dedicated not only money but much of his time to many charitable organizations; and

WHEREAS, while attending the University of Miami, Mr. Kelly was an important member of the Hurricane Football Team, which he led to a 1980 Peach Bowl Appearance; and

WHEREAS, as quarterback of the Miami Hurricanes, Mr. Kelly upset the number one ranked Penn State in his first college game and was a Heisman Trophy candidate before separating his shoulder during his senior season; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Kelly was honored by the University of Miami in 1992, when he was inducted into the Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, in 1984, Mr. Kelly joined the United States Football League and played quarterback for the Houston Gamblers, where he threw 83 touchdowns in two seasons; had 16 300-yard passing games; and was named 1984 USFL Player of the Year; and

WHEREAS, in 1986, Mr. Kelly signed with the Buffalo Bills, leading the Bills to many accomplishments that the franchise had never experienced; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Kelly's outstanding career as a Buffalo Bill includes the following remarkable accomplishments: led the Bills to four consecutive AFC Championships from 1990-1993; made four back-to-back Super Bowl appearances; named Most Valuable Player during the 1991 Pro Bowl; holds every major Buffalo Bills passing record; thrown for over 35,000 passing yards and 237 touchdowns; and his career passer rating of 84.4% is the sixth highest in NFL history; and

WHEREAS, throughout his career, Mr. Kelly has made numerous television appearances including General Hospital, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, David Letterman, NBC Nightly News, Oprah Winfrey and Rosie O'Donnell; and

WHEREAS, in 1998, Mr. Kelly joined ESPN's "NFL Countdown" as an NFL Studio Analyst and was an NFL Game Analyst for NBC Sports during the 1997-1998 football season; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Kelly has endorsed many products such as Coors, Nike, Motorola, Rogaine, Just for Feet, Sprint, Snickers, Logo Athletics and Kentucky Fried Chicken; and

WHEREAS, in addition to his many athletic achievements, Mr. Kelly has dedicated much time and energy to several charitable organizations; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Kelly and his wife, Jill Kelly, are cofounders of Hunter's Hope Foundation, which began in September of 1997 after their son Hunter was diagnosed with Krabbe Disease; and

WHEREAS, in 1987, Mr. Kelly established the Kelly for Kids Foundation, which has raised over Two Million Dollars for children's charities in Western New York; and

WHEREAS, in addition, Mr. Kelly was the original national spokesperson for the Children's Miracle Network and was appointed to the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports by President Bill Clinton; and

WHEREAS, every summer since 1988, Jim and his NFL colleagues have taught leadership, sportsmanship, responsibility and the fundamentals of football to young athletes at the Jim Kelly Football Camp; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Kelly currently lives in Buffalo, New York, with his wife, Jill, and their three children, Erin, Hunter and Camryn; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives of the State of Mississippi to commend outstanding community service as evidenced by Mr. Kelly:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend Mr. Jim Kelly for his remarkable professional football career and his outstanding community service.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mr. Jim Kelly and the members of the Capitol Press Corps.