MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2017 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Tollison, Caughman, Dearing, Fillingane, Hopson, Kirby, Michel, Simmons (12th), Barnett, Jackson (32nd)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION PAYING TRIBUTE AND CONGRATULATING OXFORD HIGH SCHOOL AND UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI POLE VAULT STANDOUT SAM KENDRICKS FOR WINNING THE BRONZE MEDAL AT THE 2016 SUMMER OLYMPICS IN RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL.
WHEREAS, Sam Kendricks brought an Olympic Medal back to Oxford. The Mississippian earned the Bronze Medal in the Men's Pole Vaulting Competition at the August 15, 2016, Olympics in Rio de Janeiro; and
WHEREAS, Sam's pole vault for 5.85 meters (19 feet, 2-1/4 inches) put him on the medal stand in his first Olympics and for the first United States Pole Vault Medal since 2004. Kendricks cleared 5.85 meters (more than 19 feet) to put himself in the final group, but missed all three attempts at 5.93 meters. Brazil's Thiago Braz da Silva set an Olympic record with a 6.03 clear, and France's Renaud Lavillenie took the Silver Medal by topping out at 5.98; and
WHEREAS, despite not being able to take home Gold, it was no doubt a successful first Olympics for Kendricks, who grew up in Oxford and attended Ole Miss. He is a two-time NCAA Champion who at 23-years-old has quite literally jumped into the world of pole vaulting's elite over the last few years; and
WHEREAS, a graduate of Oxford High School, he attended the University of Mississippi from 2012 to 2014, where in 2013 he won the first Pole Vault National Title in school history at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Oregon. In May 2015, he earned a Bachelor's Degree in General Studies and a Commission as an Officer in the United States Army from Ole Miss; and
WHEREAS, in 2014, Sam won the Pole Vault Competition at the USA Championships in Sacramento, California, becoming the first person in school history to win a USA Pole Vault Title, and he captured his second straight NCAA Outdoor Pole Vault Title in Eugene, Oregon. In his college career, he claimed many other Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field Awards, including All-American and All-SEC Honors. Mississippians are proud of the accomplishments of Sam Kendricks and wish him continued success; and
WHEREAS, Kendrick's story was referenced by the NBC Commenting Team: Not only is he coached by his father, Scott, (who had the words "Oxford, Mississippi" written on his forearms), the Town of Oxford has rallied around Kendricks. All around town were signs with the saying, "Jump Sam Jump"; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we join the Oxford and University of Mississippi community in recognizing a Mississippi Athlete and Military Officer who has brought honor to his family, his community, his university and to the State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby pay tribute and congratulate Oxford High School and University of Mississippi Pole Vault Standout Sam Kendricks for winning the Bronze Medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and extend the best wishes of the Legislature for continued success on this auspicious occasion.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Sam Kendricks and his family, forwarded to the Chancellor of the University of Mississippi and the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.