Senate Resolution 32

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING LILLIAN ZAMORA UPON BEING SELECTED BELLSOUTH FEMALE SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR AT THE 2003 STATE GAMES OF MISSISSIPPI.

WHEREAS, Lillian Zamora, a 51-year-old track and field participant in the 5K Run in the 2003 State Games of Mississippi, from Quitman, Mississippi, has been selected as the BellSouth Female Sportsman of the Year; and

WHEREAS, Lillian Zamora truly demonstrates the "Spirit of The State Games." Her enthusiasm for running and love for Meridian, Mississippi, the love and devotion she demonstrates daily to her adopted country, the United States, conveys an inspiring story of sacrifice, perseverance and determination to succeed and live the American dream. Her husband, Dr. Ivan Zamora, a surgeon in Quitman, and Lillian are well known and both are highly respected for their competitive spirit; and

WHEREAS, the Zamora family story has not always been smooth and easy. Lillian Zamora and her husband, Dr. Ivan Zamora, migrated to the United States from her native country, Nicaragua, over 30 years ago due to the political upheaval in that Central American country. Living under a dictatorship at the time and the subsequent takeover of the government by the communist following a civil war forced the Zamora family to seek a more secure life in the United States. For the past 24 years, the Zamoras have lived in Quitman, Mississippi, where Dr. Zamora is a highly respected surgeon, and the community respects and loves the Zamora family; and

WHEREAS, consequently, the Zamora family of runners seek to convey a powerful message that "everyone is a winner" who participates in the State Games. Although Lillian and her husband, Ivan, usually win trophies or medals in running events in which they enter, their positive attitude projects a spirit that stresses that winning is secondary to the joy and fellowship they gain from developing new friends through this competitive endeavor; and

WHEREAS, as evidence of her commitment is the following list of running events in which she has participated and excelled since taking up running at age 40: Clarke County Festival, 5K Walk, 1992, 1st Place; 2nd Place Master Female, 5K; S.M.A. Annual Fun Run, Dallas, Texas, November 13, 1999; Single Bell Run, 5K (45-49), Meridian, MS, 2000 and 2001; Run for Love, University of Southern Mississippi, 1st Place, 2000 and 2001, 2nd Place, 2002; 13th Annual Laird 5K Run, Master Female, April 8, 2000; 14th Annual Laird 5K Run (45-49), 1st Place, 2001; Biloxi Seafood Festival, September 15, 2001, 2nd Place; Grand Master Female, Camp Shelby, 1st Place; 20K Run, November 16, 2001; Mardi Gras Marathon, 1/2 Marathon, February 17, 2002; Anderson Cup 15th Annual, 3rd Place, April 4, 1998; Anderson Cup 17th Annual, 2nd Place, April 15, 2000; Anderson Cup 20th Annual, 2nd Place, April 12, 2003; State Games of Mississippi, 10th, 11th and 12th Anniversary, 2001, 2002 and 2003, respectively; Stennis Center 1/2 Marathon, November 2001; Orlando 1/2 Marathon, December 7, 2002; Miami-Tropical 1/2 Marathon, February 2, 2003; Mardi Gras 1/2 Marathon, February 17, 2003; and Mardi Gras Marathon, February 17, 2003. Now 11 years later at age 51, she still maintains that same positive attitude and enthusiasm of competing that first motivated her to take up running as a means of achieving and maintaining physical fitness; and

WHEREAS, Lillian Zamora's commitment of engaging and being actively involved in programs promoting physical fitness and maintaining a "spirit of camaraderie" with people of all ages, races and ethnic groups makes her very popular and well liked by all who know her; and

WHEREAS, it is with pride that we recognize this representative of the true spirit of the State Games of Mississippi, who brings honor to her community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Lillian Zamora of Quitman, Mississippi, for her accomplishments in being selected as the 2003 BellSouth Female Sportsman of the Year, and wish her continued success in her future athletic and public service endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Lillian and her family, and be made available to The Meridian Star and the Capitol Press Corps.