House Concurrent Resolution 41

(As Adopted by House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING ALICE RUTH "RUTHIE" BOLTON ON HER CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENTS, HONORS AND HIGHLIGHTS.

WHEREAS, a McClain, Mississippi, native, Alice Ruth "Ruthie" Bolton of the Sacramento Monarchs has scaled the ladder to reach the pinnacle of athletic success in women's basketball, bringing national and international acclaim to herself, her family, her hometown, this the great State of Mississippi and these entire United States; and

WHEREAS, one of twenty children born to the late Rev. Linwood and the late Leola Bolton, Ruthie is a 1989 graduate of Auburn University where she majored in exercise physiology and guided the Lady Tigers to four consecutive National Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament appearances, two of which were Final Four, and three Southeastern Conference Championships in addition to being a three-time Southeastern Conference Scholar Athlete; and

WHEREAS, the array of Ruthie's accomplishments are far reaching and monumental in their own respect, as she was the Women's National Basketball Association's (WNBA) first ever "Player of the Week," WNBA's first national spokeswoman for Youth Health Fitness "Be Active" Campaign, led the Monarchs in scoring three-pointers and steals in 1997, was named to 1997 and 1999 All-WNBA First Team, earned status as two-time WNBA All-Star for 1999 and 2001, was the recipient of WNBA Community Assist Award, was the league's fourth all-time leader in three-pointers made, and reached and scored in excess of 2,000 career points; and

WHEREAS, Ruthie has fulfilled every American athlete's dream of representing the United States in world competition by serving as a member of the 1996 and 2000 Olympics Gold Medal teams, the 1994 Bronze and 1998 Gold Medal teams in the World Championship, the 1994 Good Will Gold Medal team, the 1993 World Championship Gold Medal qualifying team and the 1991 World University Gold Medal team; and

WHEREAS, with a professional basketball career that spans fifteen years, Ruthie has played both domestically and internationally, having seven years of experience in Europe and eight years in the WNBA to date; and

WHEREAS, Ruthie was the first American woman to play in Hungary and Sweden, and subsequently played in Italy and Turkey, setting the benchmark for other American women to traverse the then male dominated professional sport to develop a league and reputation of their own; and

WHEREAS, her humble Mississippi beginnings have become a trademark of her popularity as a motivational speaker and community service volunteer; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend excellence when evidenced by such outstanding Mississippians as Ruthie Bolton, whose perseverance and determination has allowed her to become one of the world's greatest women athletes to grace the presence of the basketball court, which has brought much pride, distinction and notoriety to the State of Mississippi:

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 Alice Ruth "Ruthie" Bolton on her many career accomplishments, honors and highlights, and extend our heartiest wishes for success in all her future endeavors.

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