House Concurrent Resolution 99

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE ACADEMIC AND ATHLETIC SUCCESS OF JERMAINE WHITEHEAD OF GREENWOOD, MISSISSIPPI, AND CONGRATULATING HIM UPON SIGNING A NATIONAL LETTER OF INTENT TO PLAY FOOTBALL WITH THE 2011 BOWL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES NATIONAL CHAMPION AUBURN UNIVERSITY TIGERS.

WHEREAS, Jermaine Whitehead, a senior academic and athletic standout of Amanda Elzy High School ranked first in his class, signed a national letter of intent on February 2, 2011, to play football with the 2011 Bowl Championship Series National Champion Auburn University Tigers; and

WHEREAS, Jermaine, the first Dandy Dozen player in Amanda Elzy's history, which speaks volumes of this gifted young man's talents and abilities, has the distinction of being the most highly recruited high school player out of the Greenwood area in recent history; and

WHEREAS, at six feet, 185 pounds, Jermaine played multiple positions for the Panthers; including, quarterback, wide receiver, running back, tailback and safety, and, despite a nagging ankle injury, he ran for 805 yards and seven touchdowns and had 220 yards receiving and two touchdowns, he threw for one score and ran two kickoff returns for touchdowns, and specifically, last season, he recorded 61 tackles and five interceptions, returning two for touchdowns; and

WHEREAS, Jermaine, although a standout in football, also plays basketball, baseball and is on the track team, accomplishing a high jump of six feet, 10 inches, when he was a sophomore and finish second in the state meet; and

WHEREAS, due to his athletic prowess, Jermaine received several written scholarship offers from universities that include Southern Mississippi, Ole Miss, Miami, Stanford, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi State, Memphis, Pittsburgh and Auburn; and

WHEREAS, Jermaine, who is brilliant in his execution on the football field, is also exceptional and accomplished in his execution in the classroom and epitomizes the enviable role of a truly successful student athlete, having scored a 23 on the ACT and possessing an impressive 3.7 GPA; and

WHEREAS, Jermaine has won numerous achievements for his academic success including Superintendent Scholar, Rotary Club

Student of Month, Scholar Athlete and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Youth of the Year; and

WHEREAS, a volunteer in the summer at the Community Kitchen, Jermaine also serves his school and community as a member of the National Honor Society and the Young Emerging Leaders of Leflore; and

WHEREAS, Jermaine's academic excellence, winning and cooperative spirit and his high degree of sportsmanship has brought great honor to his parents, the community, Coach Eric House and the Amanda Elzy High School Panthers; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize youth, such as Jermaine Whitehead, who has demonstrated superiority and excellence both in academics and in sports, while simultaneously serving as a dynamic role model for youth in this great state:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THRERIN, That we do hereby commend the academic and athletic success of Jermaine Whitehead of Greenwood, Mississippi, and congratulate him upon signing a national letter of intent to play football with the 2011 Bowl Championship Series National Champion Auburn University Tigers and extend best wishes for continued success in all of his future academic and athletic endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Jermaine Whitehead and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.