MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2004 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representative Smith (39th), Akins, Baker (8th), Barnett, Beckett, Bounds, Brown, Capps, Carlton, Chism, Denny, Espy, Evans, Fillingane, Fleming, Franks, Frierson, Gadd, Green, Guice, Gunn, Hamilton (109th), Hamilton (6th), Howell, Ishee, Lott, Masterson, Mayhall, Mayo, McBride, Miles, Moak, Moody, Moss, Patterson, Peranich, Perkins, Pierce, Reed, Reynolds, Robinson (84th), Rogers (14th), Rotenberry, Shows, Simpson, Staples, Stevens, Sullivan, Vince, Woods, Upshaw, Bentz, Whittington

House Concurrent Resolution 124

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING ELISHA (ELI) MANNING FOR HIS ATHLETIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS QUARTERBACK FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI REBELS FOOTBALL TEAM.

     WHEREAS, Elisha (Eli) Manning, senior quarterback for the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) Rebels Football Team, has brought great honor, pride and recognition to himself, the Rebels Football Team, the university and its many fans for his many accomplishments; and

     WHEREAS, the son of former Ole Miss famed quarterback, Archie Manning, and brother of the Indianapolis Colts quarterback, Peyton Manning, Eli has continued the long-standing family tradition of athletic excellence; and

     WHEREAS, in the 2004 SBC Cotton Bowl Classic, Eli was selected Offensive Player of the Game; and

     WHEREAS, Eli also earned first team All-America honors as well as being named to first team All-SEC; and

     WHEREAS, for his outstanding display of athleticism and sportsmanship, Eli received the Maxwell Award as the nation's top player, the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award as the nation's top senior quarterback and the Conerly Trophy as Mississippi's Player of the Year, in addition to being named a finalist for the Heisman Trophy; and

     WHEREAS, Eli was selected as Mississippi's Amateur Athlete of the Year by the Jackson Touchdown Club, chosen as the 2003 Sports Person of the Year in Mississippi by The Clarion-Ledger and received the Colonel Earl (Red) Blaik Leadership Award from the All-America Football Foundation; and

     WHEREAS, Eli was named Southeastern Conference Player of the Year, SEC Offensive Player of the Year, Birmingham Monday Morning Quarterback Club's SEC Most Valuable Back and the Touchdown Club of Atlanta Southeast's Top Offensive Back; and

     WHEREAS, the recipient of an $18,000.00 postgraduate scholarship for being selected as one of 15 student athletes to receive the Scholar-Athlete Award from the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame, Eli received the NCAA's highest student-athlete honor upon being named one of the NCAA's Today's Top VIII, and was also chosen to receive the 2003 Sporting News Radio Socrates Award, which recognizes a collegiate student athlete who demonstrates excellence in academics, athletics and citizenship; and

     WHEREAS, as the Rebels' quarterback, Eli led the Southeastern Conference in passing average with 276.9 yards and total offense with 274.8 yards per game, setting 47 Ole Miss single-game, season and career records, and becoming the fifth quarterback in SEC history to throw for 10,000 yards in a career as he finished with 10,119 passing yards, ranking fifth on the SEC's all-time list; and

     WHEREAS, Eli was the No. 1 overall selection in the 2004 National Football League draft, being chosen by the San Diego Chargers and then traded to the New York Giants, the highest selection ever for any Ole Miss player; and

     WHEREAS, it is with great pride that this Legislature commends the outstanding talents of a truly remarkable athlete and scholar such as Eli Manning, whose refined skills and execution has brought great honor and pride to himself, Ole Miss and the State of Mississippi:

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend Eli Manning for his outstanding athletic accomplishments as quarterback for the Ole Miss Rebels Football Team and extend our heartiest wishes for continued success in all his future athletic and professional endeavors.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Eli Manning, the University of Mississippi and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.