House Resolution 71

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING WORLD CLASS CROSS COUNTRY AND TRACK AND FIELD COACH BILLY LAMB OF THE MAGNOLIA STATE.

WHEREAS, a native son of Mississippi, Coach Billy Lamb was called to become a coach early in life and through his persistent leadership in coaching cross country and track and field within the Magnolia State, his name has become synonymous with successful running; and

WHEREAS, being a coach entails not only an athletic aptitude, but a gift and Coach Lamb has used these traits to provide countless boys and girls of our state with a solid foundation, both on the grass of a cross country trail or the oval of the track, and also in the classroom and in their lives; and

WHEREAS, Coach Lamb's wisdom has equipped his athletes for the sometimes inequitable challenges that they will face in life, and he is renowned for always being the best champion for his athletes while at the same time being painfully honest with them, as if they are his own children; and

WHEREAS, Coach Lamb has coached athletes of all ages for a remarkable 41 years at various schools, including Webster High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma; Livingston University in Demopolis, Alabama; Mississippi College and Madison Central High School; and

WHEREAS, while Coach Lamb was the Head Coach at Mississippi College, he produced 22 All-Americans in a mere 17 years; and

WHEREAS, Coach Lamb built by hand the celebrated Choctaw Trails cross country trail, which can be compared to the historical courses in states such as Oregon and Colorado; and

WHEREAS, after his successful tenure at Mississippi College, Coach Lamb entered the insurance business, but a divine call led him to return to his gift of coaching at Madison Central High School; and

WHEREAS, adhering to Coach Lamb's meticulous preparation, the Jags' cross country teams have produced a dominating 12-season district championships; the boys teams were the state title runners-up in both 2006 and 2007; the girls teams were third place in the state in both 2006 and 2007; and the Jags' girls track and field team won two state championships in 2007 and 2008; and

WHEREAS, believing that one must have courage to compete in the pole vault event, Coach Lamb trained three collegiate All-Americans, and is the former Chairman of the South Development Committee for the USA Track and Field Pole Vault Committee; and

WHEREAS, in his pursuit of the pinnacle of running, Coach Lamb coached the sports of basketball and football; and

WHEREAS, when not running with his cross country runners or giving out splits at the track, Coach Lamb teaches physical education at Madison Middle School where he routinely gets a thunderous standing ovation during teacher introductions; and

WHEREAS, in an effort to help children enjoy the spirit of running, Coach Lamb formed a youth running club at Madison Middle School, which also assists in the preparation for the continued success of these students in Madison County; and

WHEREAS, in building a dynasty at Madison Central High School, Coach Lamb was recognized by the National Federation of State High School Associations as its 2007 Southeastern Coach of the Year; and

WHEREAS, many of Coach Lamb's athletes remember the lessons learned from him, such as pushing one's body to its limits in order to gain individual victory; and

WHEREAS, Coach Lamb frequently instructs from his faithful mountain bike in whatever conditions may face both him and his persistent runners, including heat and humidity, rain or cold; and

WHEREAS, Coach Lamb's influence has supported many runners to balance school work as well as any personal challenges; and

WHEREAS, many of Coach Lamb's Madison Central High School athletes have gone on to be successful at collegiate running; and

WHEREAS, academically, Coach Lamb graduated from Meridian High School in 1958, attended Mississippi College from 1958-1962, graduated from the University of Louisiana at Monroe in 1967 and received his master's degree from Kansas University in 1968; and

WHEREAS, while at Mississippi College, Coach Lamb ran cross country and track, held the college's records for 880 yards, and was the co-captain of the track team; and

WHEREAS, Coach Lamb broke the North East Louisiana University Cross Country Course record, running an incredible three miles in a time of 14:28 and later placed second in the Kansas City All Comers Summer Championship in the mile run; and

WHEREAS, for 44 years, Coach Lamb has been blissfully married to and supported by the amazing, Mrs. Betty Love Lamb, who teaches ninth grade English at Murrah High School in Jackson; and

WHEREAS, Coach Lamb and his wife have two children, daughter, Jamie Eads; son, Perrin Lamb; and three grandchildren, William Eads, Sydney Love Eads and Keely Elizabeth Lamb; and

WHEREAS, Coach Lamb's life of devotion to one single purpose is an exceptional accomplishment in the Magnolia State and of special note is the modest approach in which Coach Lamb gained his elite coaching status; and

WHEREAS, turning young boys and young ladies into successful and productive men and women, the Madison Central High School program's future is bright with Coach Lamb at the helm; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend a person such as Coach Billy Lamb, who has dedicated his life to supporting the pursuits of others, thus bringing honor to his school, and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate cross country and track and field Coach Billy Lamb, and extend best wishes for continued success in all of his future athletic endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Madison Central High School, United States Track and Field Coach Billy Lamb and to members of the Capitol Press Corps.