MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representatives Peranich, Clarke, Coleman (29th), Coleman (65th), Fredericks, Jennings, Martinson, Robertson, Scott (17th), Scott (80th), Stevens, Thomas, Wells-Smith, Whittington

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE OUTSTANDING VOLLEYBALL CAREER OF GABRIELLE REECE.

WHEREAS, Gabrielle Reece, affectionately known as "Gabby" or "Gab," has been participating in professional beach volleyball for eight years; and

WHEREAS, a native of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands, Ms. Reece did not begin playing volleyball until her junior year of high school when she moved to St. Petersburg, Florida; and

WHEREAS, after graduating from high school, Ms. Reece earned an athletic scholarship to Florida State University, where she majored in communications; and

WHEREAS, while playing for Florida State University, Ms. Reece set two school volleyball records which still stand with 240 solo blocks and 747 total blocks, was named the nation's Most Inspiring Collegiate Athlete by the Dodge National Athletic Awards Committee in 1990 and earned All-Tournament honors several times throughout her collegiate career; and

WHEREAS, in 1989, Ms. Reece began her modeling career while managing her academics in summer school and returning for the volleyball season; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Reece has been seen on the cover of magazines such as Women's Sports and Fitness, Outside, Elle, Shape, Self, Harper's Bazaar, Volleyball, Fitness and in Life; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Reece played in the 1998 Cuervo Beach City Challenge Series with top men and women players and is competing domestically in the 1999-2000 Olympic Challenge Series, the 1999-2000 FIVB Beach Volleyball Tour and several other domestic campaigns; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Reece has led the Women's Beach Volleyball League in several different categories including kills from 1993 to 1996, blocks in 1993, kills per match set in 1994 and 1996, kills in season set in 1996, kills in a tournament and total attempts in a tournament in 1994; and

WHEREAS, in 1997, Ms. Reece was inducted into the Florida State University Athletic Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Reece has been lovingly supported by her husband, Laird Hamilton, one of the world's best big wave surfers; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Reece accepted the invitation of Katie Hester, President of the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum, to participate in the celebration of National Women in Sports Day on February 4, 2000; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the Legislature of the State of Mississippi to commend excellence of outstanding athletes such as Ms. Gabrielle Reece:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend Ms. Gabrielle Reece upon her outstanding professional beach volleyball career and extend our heartiest wishes for success in all her future endeavors.

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