GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2001
H	1
HOUSE RESOLUTION 1261

 
 
     Sponsors:	Representatives Boyd-McIntyre;  Alexander, Allen, Baddour, Barefoot, Bell,Church, Coates, Cole, M. Crawford, Cunningham, Dockham, Easterling, Esposito, Fox, Gulley, Hackney, Haire, Hall, Harrington, Hill, Holliman, Insko, Jarrell, Luebke, McLawhorn, Morris, Nesbitt, Nye, Oldham, Owens, Redwine, Rogers, Saunders, Sutton, Tolson, Underhill, Wainwright, Warren, Weiss, C. Wilson, Womble, and Yongue.	
Referred to:	Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House.	
April 12, 2001

	     
A HOUSE RESOLUTION honoring north carolina's 2000 olympic medal winners and inviting marion jones, 2000 olympic track and field gold medalist, to address the house of representatives.

Whereas, the 2000 Olympiad was held in Sydney, Australia, September 15 through October 1, such games having grown out of a tradition started by the ancient Greeks in 776 B.C.; and
Whereas, North Carolina was well represented by young men and women who together brought home the proud results of thirteen gold medals and four bronze medals; and
Whereas, the young men and women of the Olympics have earned the respect and admiration of the citizens of their State, their country, and indeed the world, for their outstanding qualities, especially of self‑discipline and athletic prowess; and
Whereas, these Olympians represent the very best of their generation and have carved out for themselves a place of honor and prominence in the annals of sports history, in the Tarheel State, and the world; and
Whereas, Marion Jones made history at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia, by winning a total of five medals, including three gold medals and two bronze medals in track and field; and
Whereas, the world saw Marion Jones and other female athletes stretching themselves and taking the games to new levels, unafraid to challenge the cultural limits of the sports world, as these young women chased their dreams in the "land down under"; and
Whereas, Marion Jones, raised in Palmdale, California, and now residing in Apex, North Carolina, was a track star by age 14, won nine state titles, broke a national high school record in the 200 meter race, and, as a high school junior, qualified for the Barcelona Olympic Games in the relay event; and
Whereas, Marion Jones attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, on a basketball scholarship, graduating in 1997, with a degree in journalism and communications; and
Whereas, Marion Jones competed in both track and basketball at UNC Chapel Hill, and, as a freshman point guard, led the women's basketball team to an NCAA title, followed by a team invitation to the White House; and
Whereas, critics have variously praised Marion Jones as a sports prodigy, the world's fastest woman, the natural heir to the greatest track and field athletes of the 20th century, Wilma Rudolph, Florence "Flo Jo" Joyner, and Jackie Joyner‑Kersee; and also as the female who will likely transcend sports in the manner of Tiger Woods and Muhammad Ali; and
Whereas, Marion Jones has created for herself a powerful and well-deserved legacy, even at the young age of 24, and in so doing has become a shining example and a solid role model for other North Carolina women, as well as women around the world; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
SECTION 1.  The House of Representatives congratulates and expresses appreciation for the outstanding Olympic accomplishments of all the bright young North Carolina athletes who have done our State proud by their performance at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia.
SECTION 2.  Ms. Marion Jones is invited to address the House of Representatives in the Hall of the House of Representatives at 1:00 P.M., April 17, 2001.
SECTION 3.  The House Principal Clerk shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to each of the Olympic athletes honored by this resolution.
SECTION 4.  This resolution is effective upon adoption.