House Concurrent Resolution 57

(As Adopted by House and Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ACKNOWLEDGING AND COMMENDING THE REMARKABLE SERVICE OF GLENN F. RYAN, SR., AS ANNOUNCER FOR THE OCEAN SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL GREYHOUNDS FOOTBALL TEAM UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT.

WHEREAS, Glenn F. Ryan, Sr., one-half of "the Voice of Ocean Springs Greyhounds Football," who graduated Ocean Springs High School in 1955, has embodied a rich and memorable legacy in the lives of listeners for more than five decades; and

WHEREAS, Glenn embarked upon this exciting path of broadcasting when he was endowed with the privilege of announcing Ocean Springs High School football games on the public address system during the 1958/1959 football season and continued to do so through the 1966 season; and

WHEREAS, around 1967, WVMI Radio started to broadcast the Ocean Springs Greyhounds, with Glenn doing the play-by-play calling through 1969, imparting the excitement and action of the game into the local airwaves and into the homes and automobiles of a rapidly growing fan base, until WVMI ceased the coverage of Ocean Springs High School football games after three years; and

WHEREAS, for one year, Friday night football announcing seemingly vanished, until 1971, when WOSM, owned by Mr. Charles Cooper, resumed the broadcasting, and brought back Glenn for Ocean Springs High School Greyhounds football games; and

WHEREAS, since his return in 1971, Glenn has announced all seasons through the 2010 season on WOSM Radio, and was pleasantly receptive to have his brother, Walter, join him as his sidekick on the radio, and in making concerted play-by-play action; and

WHEREAS, for the past 20-plus years, Glenn has continued to work beside his brother, Walter, as a dynamic duo, and in a form true to their passion and thrill of excitement for remarkable athletic feats on the gridiron, Glenn and Walter have chosen to silence their microphones in a posture to retire the post as "the Voice of Ocean Springs Greyhounds Football," at the conclusion of the 2010 Ocean Springs High School Greyhounds football season, after dedicating 50 years to Greyhounds football; and

WHEREAS, to have heard these two riveting football announcers on the radio has been a joy to all, as they tapped into an inner sanctum that kept radio fans glued to the radio on Friday nights, throughout their radio announcing careers, and always took time to say "Hello," and wish well to those who were sick, ailing or could not attend the games; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to honor such an individual as Mr. Ryan, who became a permanent fixture in the lives of countless listeners, as he was invited into homes weekly to engage our interests and peak our curiosities in the athletic activities of the week in Ocean Springs football:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby acknowledge and commend the remarkable service of Glenn F. Ryan, Sr., as announcer for the Ocean Springs High School football team and his deservedly earning the title as one-half of "the Voice of Ocean Springs Greyhounds Football," and extend best wishes for continued success in the lighter years of his retirement.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mr. Glenn F. Ryan, Sr., Ocean Springs High School and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.