MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2007 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representative Patterson, Palazzo, Janus, Davis

House Concurrent Resolution 62

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING DAMION FLETCHER FOR WINNING NUMEROUS AWARDS AND BREAKING VARIOUS RECORDS AS A FRESHMAN DURING HIS 2006 FOOTBALL SEASON WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI GOLDEN EAGLES.

     WHEREAS, Damion Fletcher is a true freshman who has been a welcomed addition to the University of Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles Football Team; and

     WHEREAS, during his 2006 football season as a freshman, he won numerous awards and broke several records; and

     WHEREAS, in his debut game, he rushed 89 yards and caught two passes for 38 yards against the National Champions, the Florida Gators, and was named the Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week when he rushed for 177 yards and scored three touchdowns against North Carolina State in the third game of the season; and

     WHEREAS, Damion set a USM and Conference USA freshman record when he scored 11 touchdowns and rushed for a total of 1,388 yards this season with an average of 106 yards per game; and

     WHEREAS, he was also the top true freshman runner in the nation and now ranks 11th among all running backs in rushing yards nationally; and

     WHEREAS, he also has a USM school record with seven 100-yard rushing performances; and

     WHEREAS, Damion was named Freshman All-American by five different organizations, earned First Team All-Conference USA and was on the All-Conference USA Freshman Team; and

     WHEREAS, when the USM Golden Eagles won the GMAC Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, on January 7, 2007, by a score of 28-7, Damion rushed 58 yards, had three catches for 28 yards, and scored two touchdowns to become the Most Valuable Player in the GMAC Bowl Game; and

     WHEREAS, he was a finalist for the Conerly Trophy, which solidifies him as the best college football player in the state and won the 2006 Cellular South Fans Choice Award at the ceremony for that trophy; and

     WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature of the State of Mississippi to recognize outstanding athletes who bring honor to their schools and state:

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend Damion Fletcher for winning numerous awards and breaking various records as a freshman during his 2006 football season with the University Of Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Damion Fletcher, the University of Southern Mississippi and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.