House Resolution 125

A RESOLUTION WELCOMING THE ATLANTA BRAVES CLASS AA AFFILIATE AND THEIR REPRESENTATIVES TO PEARL, MISSISSIPPI, AND COMMENDING THE ORGANIZATION FOR BREAKING GROUND ON THE TEAM'S NEW STADIUM.

WHEREAS, the Atlanta Braves, Major League Baseball's most successful franchise since 1991, is relocating its Greenville, South Carolina, Class AA affiliate to the City of Pearl in Rankin County of the Great State of Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, the Mississippi Braves will break ground on the team's first class stadium in Pearl on Tuesday, May 11, 2004, and is scheduled to be completed for the first season of the Mississippi Braves in 2005; and

WHEREAS, the brand new 6,000 seat stadium will be a fan-friendly ballpark with many of the same amenities of major league ballparks such as private suites, recessed seating, lawn berm, an open concourse, a restaurant and a fan interactive area; and

WHEREAS, representing the Braves organization will be Mike Plant, Executive Vice President of Business Operations for the Atlanta Braves; Chip Moore, Vice President and Controller for the Atlanta Braves; Steve DeSalvo, General Manager for the Class AA Braves; and Jim Bishop, Assistant General Manager for the Class AA Braves; and

WHEREAS, joining the members of the Braves organization at the ground breaking ceremonies will be Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour; Pearl Mayor Jimmy Foster; and Southern League President Don Mincher; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to welcome outstanding organizations such as the Atlanta Braves, who have brought America's favorite past time to the State of Mississippi for fans and families to enjoy for many years to come:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby welcome the Atlanta Braves Class AA affiliate and their representatives, Mike Plant, Chip Moore, Steve DeSalvo, and Jim Bishop to Pearl, Mississippi; congratulate them on breaking ground on the team's new stadium; and wish them many years of success in all their athletic and business endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the representatives of the Braves organization, Mike Plant, Chip Moore, Steve DeSalvo and Jim Bishop, and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.