Senate Resolution 16

(As Adopted by Senate)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING GEORGE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR PITCHER/OUTFIELDER WENDELL FAIRLEY FOR BEING NAMED TO THE 2007 LOUISVILLE SLUGGER PRESEASON ALL-AMERICAN HIGH SCHOOL TEAM.

WHEREAS, George County High School Senior Wendell Fairley has been named to the prestigious Louisville Slugger 2007 Preseason All-American High School First Team; and

WHEREAS, Wendell Fairley, Senior Pitcher, Outfielder and Slugger for the George County "Rebels," has signed with the University of Southern Mississippi and is also a football standout. He was also one of just two Mississippians to be named a first-team, All-American, with Catcher Cody Freeman of West Lauderdale High School being the other; and

WHEREAS, Wendell was named to the Dandy Dozen by The Clarion-Ledger with the following statistics: five-tool player, Mississippi's top pro-prospect and was a First Team All-State selection by The Clarion-Ledger last season; batted .451, including 7 doubles, 6 triples, 6 home runs and 31 RBIs for the Rebels; on the mound, compiled a 5-4 record with 68 strikeouts and a 2.07 ERA in 50 innings; and also a football standout; and

WHEREAS, "Sometimes you get a good athlete that can play baseball, but Wendell is a good athlete who is actually a baseball player," says George County Coach Ronnie Powell; and

WHEREAS, Lucedale, Mississippi, usually lures football recruiters by producing high-profile wide receivers. Wendell Fairley, who also plays football on the side (he played Quarterback and Receiver this past season), stuck to his first love of baseball. Scouts project that Fairley could be drafted in the first five rounds of the Major League draft in June; and

WHEREAS, this is the 11th year Louisville Slugger has sponsored high school All-American teams. The squad was chosen by the staff of Collegiate Baseball and the athletes were honored in the January 26 edition of the newspaper; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this achievement by a student athlete who has brought honor to his school, his community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate George County High School Senior Pitcher/Outfielder Wendell Fairley for being named to the 2007 Louisville Slugger Preseason All-American High School First Team, and extend to him the best wishes of the Senate for success in his collegiate career and future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Wendell Fairley and his parents and be forwarded to the George County Board of Education and the Capitol Press Corps.