Senate Concurrent Resolution 578

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING ANTON REEL, WORLD CHAMPION WEIGHT LIFTER WHO PIONEERED ATHLETIC WEIGHT LIFTING PROGRAMS IN BROOKHAVEN, MISSISSIPPI, UPON HIS INDUCTION INTO THE MISSISSIPPI SPORTS HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2006.

WHEREAS, the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame has unveiled its Class of 2006 which features Anton Reel, world champion weight lifter, who pioneered athletic weight lifting programs in Brookhaven, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Anton Reel is the first person ever selected to the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame for the sport of weight lifting; and

WHEREAS, a native of Nuremberg, Germany, Anton was raised in New York City, New York. Anton was a prep track star at James Monroe High School in the Bronx and was a multi-event performer at Perkinston Junior College (now known as Gulf Coast Community College); and

WHEREAS, he began weight lifting while still serving in the U.S. Navy and attending dental school in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1943. He won the 1944 Southern AAU Novice Championship in the Heavyweight Division and later won the title of "Mr. New Orleans" in the Louisiana State Body Building Contest. Wartime restrictions prevented him from competing for the Mr. America competition; and

WHEREAS, Anton created the first organized weight lifting and training program in Mississippi for high school athletes while operating a successful dental practice in Brookhaven, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, he helped train Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame members Lance Alworth, Harol Lofton and Ralph "Catfish" Smith. His training of players who contributed to LSU's National Championship Team prompted Head Coach Paul Dietzel to make him a special honorary Coach of the LSU Tigers in 1958. Players trained by Reel refer to themselves as "Doc's Boys"; and

WHEREAS, after retirement from his dentistry practice, he began training for weight lifting competitions in Jacksonville, Florida. From 1997 to 2004, Dr. Reel won eight consecutive National Weight Lifting Championships in three different weight categories at venues across the United States; and

WHEREAS, Anton captured his national titles from the USAPL at the ages of 77 through 85 and set three national records (which are still unbroken) at the ages of 77, 82 and 83; and

WHEREAS, inducted as an honorary member of the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame in 1970, he received the All-American Football Foundation Outstanding American Award in 2000; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this outstanding athlete and trainer who is an inspiration to all athletes and who has brought honor to his community, his college and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Anton Reel, world champion weight lifter, who pioneered athletic weight lifting programs for university and professional sports teams in Brookhaven, Mississippi, upon his induction into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2006, and wish him and his family continued success in all their future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Anton Reel at induction ceremonies and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.