MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2015 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Carmichael, Burton, Butler (38th), Frazier, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Lee, Simmons (12th)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING BRADEN IVEY ON BEING SELECTED AS THE 2014 STATE GAMES OF MISSISSIPPI AT&T MALE 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. This year the State Games are honoring athletes from 34 sports from the 2014 State Games of Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, 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 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. 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 2014 Opening Ceremonies of the State Games; and
WHEREAS, Braden Ivey competed in the State Games of Mississippi Martial Arts Competition this year and became the 18 and Under Overall Grand Champion; and
WHEREAS, he earned a Bronze Medal in the 2014 US Open in Las Vegas, Nevada. He also received a Bronze Medal in Las Vegas at the 2014 Junior International Cup and won the 2014 USA NKF Qualifier in West Monroe, Louisiana, with two Gold Medals; and
WHEREAS, this year, Braden Ivey has qualified to be a member of the 2014 Junior Pan American National Teams after winning a Silver Medal at the Elite Team Trials and National Championship in Reno, Nevada. He will compete in the Junior Pan American Championships this August in Lima, Peru. Braden Ivey is an exceptional athlete and will represent the United States as well as Mississippi in this prestigious international event; and
WHEREAS, Braden's grandfather started it all when he fell in love with the sport and opened a dojo in Enterprise, Mississippi. He then trained his son and passed on the dojo, and now Braden is being trained by his father. In the past six years of his Martial Arts training, his competition resumé reads like a novel:
ˇ Braden became the 2007 Mississippi State Champion in his age group for the Mississippi Karate Association. He continues to defend his title and has renewed it every year, becoming a six-time "13 and Under Grand Champion";
ˇ Braden was the 2007 and 2008 winner in the "Battle of Atlanta" Martial Arts Tournament in Atlanta, Georgia;
ˇ In 2010, Braden decided to take his competition to the national level and went to his first Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) National Competition. He won the National Champion Title for his age group. He continued with his winning streak in 2011 by winning the USA National Karate Foundation National Championship, the Tennessee State Champion for the US Karate Alliance, and the AAU Jr. Olympic Champion, plus many more regional and statewide titles;
ˇ In 2012, at the age of ten, he was honored to have earned a position on the Amateur Athletics USA Team. Martial Arts is not currently an Olympic sport; this team is the equivalent to being the US Olympic Team. By competing on the AAU Team, Braden was exposed to more tournaments and competed on a much higher level. He continued his reign as the AAU Regional, State and National Champion. In 2012, he also became the National Champion for the Japanese Karate Association;
ˇ In 2013, Braden had the opportunity to compete with his AAU Team in Melbourne, Australia, at the World Karate Confederation Tournament. He represented his country and his dojo from Enterprise, Mississippi, well by coming home as the WKC World Champion;
ˇ Braden Ivey is also a four-time Gold Medalist for the State Games of Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, being a 12-year-old young man and a World Champion is easy for Braden. He has the passion and discipline that it takes. He trains in his dojo six days a week for four hours a day and helps his father as an instructor for children ages nine and under twice a week; and
WHEREAS, the State Games of Mississippi is proud to have Braden Ivey as its "Male Athlete of the Year," and it is with great pride that we recognize this young Mississippi athlete who has brought honor to his 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 Braden Ivey on being selected as the 2014 State Games of Mississippi AT&T Male Athlete of the Year and express best wishes for continued success in all of his future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Braden Ivey and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.