House Resolution 75

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMEMORATING THE LIFE, LEGACY, SUCCESS AND SERVICE OF INDIANOLA NATIVE AND THE MISSISSIPPI DELTA'S AMBASSADOR TO THE NBA, MR. SAM LACEY, AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HIS PASSING.

WHEREAS, "To everything there is a season, and time to every purpose under the Heaven," and as such, the grand architect of the universe, the immaculate author and finisher of our soul's destiny, has summoned the mortal presence of NBA great, Mr. Sam Lacey, to eternal rest, as he has made life's final transition from earthly travailing to heavenly reward, rendering great sorrow and loss to his family, colleagues and friends; and

WHEREAS, widely hailed as the greatest basketball player the Mississippi Delta has ever produced, the Sunflower County of Indianola, Mississippi, lost a hometown hero, legend and icon in the passing of Mr. Lacey on Friday, March 14, 2014, a gentleman who donned the title as the Delta's ambassador to the NBA, represented the area with aplomb after rising from humble beginnings in a segregated Indianola town, the son of a garbageman and a homemaker; and

WHEREAS, a graduate of Gentry High School, "Slammin' Sam," as he came to be known, was, by all accounts, a good student, and an even better basketball player during his senior year at his preparatory alma mater, and upon being heavily courted by collegiate scouts around the country after a dominating performance in an All-Star game after his senior year at Gentry, Lacey took New Mexico State University's scholarship offer and led the team to its first and only NCAA Final Four Tournament during his senior year; and

WHEREAS, the Cincinnati Royals of the NBA, which would later become the Kansas City Royals, drafted the 6-foot, 10-inch powerhouse Lacey in the position of center as the fifth overall pick of the 1970 Draft Selection; and

WHEREAS, in the peak of his career success, the Mississippi Delta remained in Lacey's soul, even after electing to live in Kansas City at his career's end, the hospitable nature of his Mississippi upbringing, even amidst the segregation, he endeavored tirelessly to assist other retired players who sometimes found themselves in place of need; and

WHEREAS, though he has traversed the rivers of life to now stand upon the celestial shores of Heaven in grateful anticipation of all of its grandeur, the legacy of Mr. Lacey's memory, which if put to music, would be a majestic symphonic masterpiece composed by the Holy Trinity, will continue to refresh the hearts and fond memories of his beloved survivors; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to pay homage and give tribute to such a remarkable individual and sports legend as Mr. Lacey, whose life's light was an impassioned beacon of inspiration to all for whom he encountered in life:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby mourn the loss, commemorate the life, legacy, success and service of the Mississippi Delta's Ambassador to the NBA, Mr. Sam Lacey, and express sincere sympathy to his family and friends upon his passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Mr. Sam Lacey and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.