House Resolution 37

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING RAY GILDEA ON BEING SELECTED AS THE 2018 STATE GAMES OF MISSISSIPPI AT&T OVERALL MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR.

WHEREAS, Ray Gildea is the 2018 "Athlete of the Year" for the State Games of Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, this award was created to celebrate and recognize Mississippi's amateur athletes by nominations from coaches, officials, athletes, volunteers, and spectators who choose one male, one female and one youth athlete who personifies the ideals of participation, sportsmanship, special attributes, achievements, efforts and positive attitudes of the State Games movement; and

WHEREAS, this year, the State Games are honoring athletes from 37 sports, and from these 37 athletes, only three were chosen to receive the honor of "Athlete of the Year"; and

WHEREAS, the chosen "Athletes of the Year" are honored with a visit to the Mississippi State Capitol, where the Governor bestows grand recognition upon them for their achievements and where they will have the honor and fame of lighting the torch during the 2019 Opening Ceremonies of the State Games; and

WHEREAS, sixty-five-year-old Ray Gildea of Madison has been competing in track and field, road racing and marathon running for more than 27 years, has won more than 118 medals in the State Games of Mississippi, and run 161 marathons in the Senior Olympics for the past 15 years; and

WHEREAS, this dedicated athlete has stated that "The challenge of sustaining a track season every year while in perpetual marathon training is hard, because of minor injuries," but in spite of injuries last year, Ray journeyed on to win two gold medals, one silver medal and one bronze medal in the USA Track and Field Southeast Region Masters Championships; and

WHEREAS, the State Games keeps its entry fees low primarily through the generous donations of sponsors, including Founding Gold Sponsor: Meridian Coca-Cola Bottling Company and Rush Hospital; and Gold Sponsors: AT&T, BlueCross BlueShield of Mississippi, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians/Pearl River Resort, Meridian-Lauderdale County Tourism Bureau/Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors, Structural Steel, WTOK-TV, The Meridian Star and WMDN/WGBC-TV; and

WHEREAS, Ray Gildea is an excellent role model for a balanced and healthy lifestyle, and is the perfect example of fitness and dedication that the State Games of Mississippi promotes; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize fine Mississippi athletes such as Ray Gildea as its "Male Athlete of the Year," who has brought honor to his community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Ray Gildea on being selected as the 2018 State Games of Mississippi AT&T Overall Male Athlete of the Year, and express best wishes for continued success in all of his future endeavors.

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