MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2013

By: Representatives Martinson, Buck (72nd), To: Rules Coleman (65th)

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 56

1 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING BIANCA 2 KNIGHT UPON WINNING THE GOLD MEDAL IN THE WOMEN'S 4X100-METER 3 RELAY AT THE 2012 OLYMPIC SUMMER GAMES IN LONDON, ENGLAND. 4 WHEREAS, captured the gold medal in the women's 5 4x100-meter relay at the August 2012 Olympic Summer Games in 6 London, England; and

7 WHEREAS, she is a proud native of Ridgeland in Madison 8 County, Mississippi; and 9 WHEREAS, even as a high school student, she was a track and 10 field star at Ridgeland High School and continued her success 11 while at the University of Texas as a star; and 12 WHEREAS, she often credits her time at Ridgeland High School, 13 where she was coached by Calvin Bolton, as an important part of

14 her success; and 15 WHEREAS, Bianca teamed with Tianna Madison, and 16 Carmelita Jeter to set a new world record in the women's 17 4x100-meter relay with a blazing time of 40.82 seconds, breaking 18 the record of 41.37 seconds set by East Germany 27 years ago; and

H. C. R. No. 56 *HR07/R1278* ~ OFFICIAL ~ N1/2 13/HR07/R1278 PAGE 1 (GT\HS) 19 WHEREAS, Bianca returned to Mississippi soon after her return 20 from London and spent several weeks in her home state before 21 returning to continue her training; and 22 WHEREAS, because she has sincerely appreciated the help that 23 has been given to her over the years, she donates time and money 24 to Sunnybrook Children's Home and the Mississippi Volunteer

25 Lawyers Project; and 26 WHEREAS, Bianca readily admits that her gold medal was not 27 only for the , but for her home state of Mississippi, 28 a place of great pride for her; and 29 WHEREAS, due to her accomplishments and state pride, she was 30 recognized as the 2012 Sportswoman of the Year by The 31 Clarion-Ledger; and

32 WHEREAS, the 2012 recognition from The Clarion-Ledger is the 33 second time that Bianca has been honored, but it is an honor 34 shared by only four other athletes; and 35 WHEREAS, her aspirations and goals are far from complete, as 36 she intends to train over the next four years for the 2016 Olympic

37 Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where she hopes to repeat 38 as a gold medalist, and will strive to win an individual gold

39 medal for the 200 meters; and 40 WHEREAS, there is no doubt this impressive young woman will 41 continue to achieve great success and represent her home community 42 and state with great pride; and

H. C. R. No. 56 *HR07/R1278* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 13/HR07/R1278 PAGE 2 (GT\HS) 43 WHEREAS, her name has been and will forever be etched in 44 Mississippi sports history, regardless of any other successes she 45 will achieve; and 46 WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize 47 and commend excellence, especially when evidenced by outstanding 48 Mississippians such as Ms. Bianca Knight:

49 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF 50 REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING 51 THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Ms. Bianca 52 Knight upon winning the gold medal in the women's 4x100-meter 53 relay at the 2012 Olympic Summer Games in London, England, and 54 extend best wishes for continued success in all of her future 55 endeavors.

56 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be 57 furnished to Ms. Bianca Knight and to the members of the Capitol 58 Press Corps.

H. C. R. No. 56 *HR07/R1278* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 13/HR07/R1278 ST: Bianca Knight; commend upon winning Olympic PAGE 3 (GT\HS) Gold Medal.