GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2001
H	1
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 1456
     

 
Sponsors:	Representatives Howard;  Hill, McComas, Nye, Redwine, Wright, and Luebke.	
Referred to:	Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House.	
June 4, 2001

     
A JOINT RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE AND MEMORY OF WILVER DORNELL "WILLIE" STARGELL, MEMBER OF THE BASEBALL HALL OF FAME.

Whereas, Wilver Dornell "Willie" Stargell was born on March 6, 1940, in Earlsboro, Oklahoma, and grew up in Oakland, California; and
Whereas, Willie Stargell played baseball for Santa Rosa Junior College in California prior to signing with the Pittsburgh Pirates; and
Whereas, Willie Stargell played for the Pirates from 1962 until his retirement in 1982; and
Whereas, during his career, Willie Stargell played 2,360 games and amassed a long list of impressive statistics, including seven appearances in National League All-Star games, 475 homeruns, 1,540 runs, and a .282 lifetime batting average; and
Whereas, Willie Stargell helped his team win National League pennants and World Series championships in 1971 and 1979 and six National League East titles between 1970 and 1979; and
Whereas, in 1979, at the age of 39, Willie Stargell received three Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards: National League MVP for the regular season, which he shared with Keith Hernandez; National League MVP for the playoffs; and World Series MVP; and
Whereas, Willie Stargell holds the record for the oldest player to win an MVP award; and
Whereas, in 1979, Willie Stargell was named The Sporting News Man of the Year and the Sports Illustrated Man of the Year, an honor he shared with Terry Bradshaw; and
Whereas, following his retirement as a baseball player, Willie Stargell held various positions with the Pirates and the Atlanta Braves; and
Whereas, in 1988, his first year of eligibility, Willie Stargell was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame; and
Whereas, Willie Stargell inspired and mentored his teammates and was nicknamed "Pops" due to his fatherly presence; and
Whereas, Willie Stargell was admired and loved by thousands of fans, who remained loyal to the popular athlete after he retired from baseball; and
Whereas, on April 9, 2001, the Pirates unveiled a 12-foot bronze statue of Willie Stargell at the team's new ballpark, PNC Park; and
Whereas, Willie Stargell gave freely to many causes and organizations over the years; and
Whereas, Willie Stargell died on April 9, 2001, in Wilmington, North Carolina; and
Whereas, Willie Stargell is survived by his wife, Margaret Weller‑Stargell; his children: Precious Stargell, Dawn Stargell Moore, Wendy Stargell, Kelli Stargell, and Wilver Stargell, Jr.; his mother; a sister; and five grandchildren; and
Whereas, Willie Stargell was a proud member of the Caesar Bruner Band of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
SECTION 1.  The General Assembly honors the memory of Wilver Dornell "Willie" Stargell and expresses the gratitude and appreciation of this State and its citizens for his life and the joy he brought to the game of baseball.
SECTION 2.  The General Assembly extends its deepest sympathy to the family of Wilver Dornell "Willie" Stargell for the loss of a beloved family member.
SECTION 3.  The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the family of Wilver Dornell "Willie" Stargell.
SECTION 4.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.