House Concurrent Resolution 53

(As Adopted by House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING BIANCA KNIGHT ON BEING SELECTED AS THE CLARION-LEDGER 2006 CO-SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR AND COMMENDING HER ON ALL OF HER ATHLETIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

WHEREAS, Ms. Bianca Knight, a successful senior at Ridgeland High School, has been chosen as the 2006 Mississippi Co-sportsperson of the Year by The Clarion-Ledger, which is the first time that the award has been bestowed on high school athletes; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Knight, who is known as having "million-dollar legs" for sprinting, began her track career at the age of 12 and since that time she has won 12 individual high school state titles; and

WHEREAS, known for helping put the Ridgeland Titans on the map in athletics, Ms. Knight has received numerous national awards, some of which are as follows: All USA Today Girls Track Team 2005 and 2006; American Track and Field Magazine Athlete of the Week and Track and Field News Magazine Athlete of the Month and the Gatorade National Girls Track and Field Athlete of the Year for 2006, which makes Ms. Knight the first athlete in any sport from this state to receive the national Gatorade award; and

WHEREAS, in addition to her national merits, Ms. Knight has also received numerous state awards, some of which are as follows: Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame "Pops State Awards" 2004, 2005 and 2006; Gatorade Mississippi Girls Track and Field Athlete of the Year 2005 and 2006; The Clarion-Ledger's Miss Track and Field 2004-2006 and All-State Track and Field Team 2003-2006; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Knight has broken state and national records and has competed in various parts of the world including the IAAF World Youth Championships in Morocco in 2005 where she was a World Youth Leader in the 100m dash; and

WHEREAS, although Ms. Knight has received worldwide attention, she has brought additional honor to Ridgeland High School and Coach Calvin Bolton by exhibiting a winning and cooperative spirit and a superb degree of sportsmanship; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend excellence in a young person of this state, such as Ms. Knight, who exhibits superior athletic ability and confidence:

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. Bianca Knight on being chosen as The Clarion-Ledger 2006 Co-sportsperson of the Year and extend heartiest wishes for all of her future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Ms. Bianca Knight, Ridgeland High School and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.