MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2013 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Carmichael, Browning, Butler (38th), Frazier, Jackson (32nd), Lee, Parker
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING CHRISTIE STRICKER ON BEING SELECTED AS THE 2012 STATE GAMES OF MISSISSIPPI AT&T FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR.
WHEREAS, each year, the State Games of Mississippi nominates an outstanding male and female athlete from each individual sport. These athletes are chosen for merit and sportsmanship; and
WHEREAS, this year, the State Games are honoring athletes from 34 sports from the 2012 State Games of Mississippi. From these 34 athletes, only two are chosen to receive the honor of "Athlete of the Year." The nominated athletes personify the ideals of the State Games movement, such as participation, sportsmanship, special attributes, achievements, efforts and positive attitudes. The chosen "Athletes of the Year" will visit the State Capitol in Jackson, where the Governor will bestow them with a recognition of their achievement and they will have the honor and fame of lighting the torch at the 2013 Opening Ceremonies. The State Games keeps its entry fees low primarily through the generous donations of sponsors, including Founding Gold Sponsor: Meridian Coca-Cola Bottling Company and Rush Hospital; and Gold Sponsors: AT&T, Maples Gas, City of Meridian, McDonald's, Meridian-Lauderdale County Tourism Bureau/Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors, Structural Steel, WTOK-TV and WMDN/WGBC-TV; and
WHEREAS, the 2012 "Female Athlete of the Year" is Christie Stricker. Determination, strength, stamina, endurance and discipline are qualities that the State Games of Mississippi, "Female Athlete of the Year," Christie Stricker, demonstrates every day; and
WHEREAS, all five children in the Stricker family have competed at the State Games throughout the years and older sister, Kayla, was the 2009 Athlete of the Year. "This year, it was time for Dallas and Christie to be in the spotlight," said Leslie Lee, Director of Marketing and Development for the State Games. Female Athlete of the Year Christie brought home eight medals - six Gold and two Silver - in eight different events in 2012, adding them to her growing collection of medals from the last five years. This year, she competed in track and field, 5K, cross-country, cycling and powerlifting; and
WHEREAS, sixteen-year-old Christie is the middle child of the family and her father John said, "She has been chasing Kayla all her life." The chasing is over and Christie has become the first in her family to complete a full marathon. She also holds the title for her age and weight-class for the state in powerlifting. Entering her junior year of high school in Hattiesburg, Christie runs on the cross-country team, the track team, is on the powerlifting team and plays soccer. In the midst of all of this, she also excels at academics. Christie began running at the age of five and doesn't have any plans to stop. Explaining the Stricker family's love of sports and competition, father John said, "This is just what we do"; and
WHEREAS, Christie Stricker is an excellent role model for a balanced and healthy lifestyle. She is the perfect example of fitness and dedication that the State Games of Mississippi promotes, and it is with pride that we recognize this Mississippi citizen who has brought honor to her community and state:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Christie Stricker on being selected as the 2012 State Games of Mississippi AT&T Female Athlete of the Year and extend best wishes to Christie, her family and sponsors on this honor.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Christie Stricker, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.