House Concurrent Resolution 58

(As Adopted by House)

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

WHEREAS, Walter J. Ryan, one-half of "the Voice of Ocean Springs Greyhounds Football," who graduated from Ocean Springs High School in 1959, has embodied a rich and memorable legacy in the lives of listeners for more than three decades; and

WHEREAS, Walter embarked upon this exciting path of broadcasting when he was endowed with the privilege of announcing Ocean Springs Junior High School football games on the public address system during the 1961 football season and continued to do so through the 1966 season; and

WHEREAS, Walter moved on to announce the Ocean Springs High School football games on the public address system during the 1967 football season and continued to do so through the 1971 season, imparting the excitement and action of the game into the local airwaves and into the homes and automobiles of a rapidly growing fan base; and

WHEREAS, as the 1980s were ending, he again found himself announcing the Ocean Springs High School Greyhounds football games, only this time it was on the radio and in concerted play-by-play action alongside his brother, Glenn; and

WHEREAS, for the past 20-plus years, Walter has continued to work beside his brother, Glenn, as a dynamic duo, and in a form true to their passion and thrill of excitement for remarkable athletic feats on the gridiron, Walter and Glenn 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 30-plus 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 Walter J. Ryan as announcer for the Ocean Springs High School football team and 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. Walter J. Ryan, Ocean Springs High School and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.