House Concurrent Resolution 129

(As Adopted by House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING LATOYA THOMAS ON HER ACCOMPLISHED COLLEGE BASKETBALL CAREER.

WHEREAS, Ms. LaToya Thomas, a native of Greenville, Mississippi, and currently a senior at Mississippi State University has had an outstanding college basketball career; and

WHEREAS, superbly coached by Ms. Sharon Fanning throughout her college basketball career, LaToya Thomas, who plays the position of forward, has recently made history by being the first Mississippian to be named the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Player of the Year; and

WHEREAS, the athletic ability of Ms. Thomas has only strengthened during her career as indicated by her leading the SEC for the fourth straight year in scoring, ranking third nationally with an average 25.6 points per game, and moving into second place on the all-time SEC career scoring list with 2,930 points, and her ranking 8th on the NCAA Career Scorer's Chart; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Thomas is currently ranked in several SEC categories, such as first in points and offensive rebounds, first on the all-time SEC career free throws made with 701 charted, second in rebounding, fourth in defensive rebounding, fifth in free throw percentage and eighth in field goal percentage; and

WHEREAS, during the early years of her career, Ms. Thomas has received several distinctive honors, including being named the SEC Freshman of the Year, AP Newcomer of the Year, Sports Illustrated for Women Freshman of the Year and espn.com Rookie of the Year; and

WHEREAS, there are many other honors that Ms. Thomas has received during the 2002-2003 season, such as being named AP All-SEC First Team and All-SEC First Team, named to the 2002 SEC All-Tournament Team, twice-named SEC Player of the Week and named to the Lady Griz Holiday Classic All-Tournament Team; and

WHEREAS, LaToya Thomas, a three-time Kodak All-American, has also received several honorable finalist positions, including being a Wade Trophy finalist, Naismith Player of the Year finalist, Senior Class Award finalist and a Creamland Dairies Collegiate Basketball Student Athlete of the Year semi-finalist;

and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the Legislature to recognize the athletic excellence of individuals, such as Ms. LaToya Thomas, who has brought well-deserved credit to herself and has made monumental contributions to the women's basketball program of Mississippi State University:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Ms. LaToya Thomas for her accomplished college basketball career and wish her continued success in all her future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Ms. LaToya Thomas, Coach Sharon Fanning and the Capitol Press Corps.