Senate Resolution 65

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE ATLANTA BRAVES FOR RELOCATING THEIR DOUBLE-A AFFILIATE TO PEARL, MISSISSIPPI, AND FOR BREAKING GROUND ON THE TEAM'S NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART STADIUM AND WELCOMING REPRESENTATIVES OF THE BRAVES ORGANIZATION TO MISSISSIPPI.

WHEREAS, the Atlanta Braves, Major League Baseball's winningest franchise since 1991, is relocating its Greenville, South Carolina Double-A affiliate to Pearl, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, the Mississippi Braves, the Class AA affiliate of the Atlanta Braves beginning in 2005, will break ground on the team's state-of-the-art stadium in Pearl on Tuesday, May 11, 2004, at 12:00 noon CST; and

WHEREAS, the 6,000 seat stadium will be a fan-friendly ballpark with similar amenities of major league ballparks such as private suites, recessed seating, lawn berm, open concourse, restaurant and a fan interactive area; and

WHEREAS, representing the Braves organization, one of the most successful franchises in baseball, will be Mike Plant, Executive Vice President of Business Operations for the Atlanta Braves; Chip Moore, Vice President and Controller for the Atlanta Braves; Steve DeSalvo, General Manager for the Double-A Braves; and Jim Bishop, Assistant General Manager of the Double-A Braves; and

WHEREAS, joining the members of the Braves organization at the ground breaking ceremonies will be Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour; Pearl Mayor Jimmy Foster; and Southern League President Don Mincher:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the Atlanta Braves for relocating its Class AA affiliate to Pearl, Mississippi, and breaking ground on the team's new state-of-the-art stadium and welcome the representatives of the Braves organization, Mike Plant, Chip Moore, Steve DeSalvo, and Jim Bishop of Mississippi.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the representatives of the Braves organization, Mike Plant, Chip Moore, Steve DeSalvo, and Jim Bishop of Mississippi, and be made available to the Capital Press Corps.