Resolution No. 04-88

CONGRATULATING FOR BEING SELECTED IN THE 2004 MAJOR LEAGUE DRAFT AND FOR WINNING THE OF THE YEAR AWARD

WHEREAS, Kurt Suzuki, i a first-team All-American and Big West

Conference Player of the Year: I is the highest ranking player from Hawaii selected in the Major League Bas~ball First-Year Player Draft; and WHEREAS, a kinesiology ~ajor at Cal State Fullerton, Kurt was picked in the second round, 67th overall, by the ; and

WHEREAS, the Cal State Fullerton Titans swept the best-of-three championship series against the top seeded Texas Longhorns, 6-4 in Game 1, and 3-2 in Game 2, at the 2004 College at Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, Neoraska; and

WHEREAS, Kurt's two-out RBI capped off a three-run seventh Fullerton rally when he roped a 1-1 pitch into left field, driving in the game winning run; and

WHEREAS, the standout junior catcher was voted the winner of the prestigious 2004 Johnny Bench National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award, which was presented to him by Johnny Bench himself, Kurt's childhood hero, at the ih annual Greater Wichita Sports Banquet on June 30, 2004; and

WHEREAS, nominees were selected by a panel of sportswriters, sportscasters, Division 1 coaches and scouts, and judged on their athletic ability, sportsmanship, team leadership, character, grade point average, offensive and defensive statistics, team earned run average, calling their own game, and community involvement; and

WHEREAS, a 2001 Baldwin High School graduate and son of Warren and Kathleen Suzuki, Kurt was a four-year letterman and three-year captain for the Baldwin Bears baseball team; and Resolution No. ---=-.:.-..;::;..;;,...----:;...,;..-.,;;;..;;.....-04-88

WHEREAS, as a junior in high school, Kurt earned first-team all-league and second-team all-state recognition, and was named to the State championship all-tournament team; and as a senior, Kurt earned the Maui Interscholastic League's most-valuable-player honors, and was named Hawaii's first-team all-state catcher; and

WHEREAS, Kurt will complete his college career with a .413 batting average, 16 home runs and 87 RBis; and

WHEREAS, the Maui County Council takes this opportunity to recognize and congratulate Kurt Suzuki for following his dreams with hard work and determination, for being an exemplary role model, and for bringing great pride and honor to the people of the County of Maui; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the County of Maui:

1. That it hereby congratulates Kurt Suzuki for being selected in the 2004 Draft and for winning the Johnny Bench Catcher of the Year Award; and

2. That certified copies of this resolution be transmitted to Kurt Suzuki and his parents, Warren and Kathleen Suzuki.

paf:03-04reso:04-158a:sco Resolution No. 04-88 COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF MAUl

WAILUKU, HAWAII 96793

CERTIFICATION OF ADOPTION

It is HEREBY CERTIFIED that RESOLUTION NO. 04-88 was adopted by the Council of the County of Maui, State of Hawaii, on the 9th day of July, 2004, by the following vote:

Dain P. Robert G.Riki JoAnne Dennis A. Michael J. WayneK. Joseph Charmaine MEMBERS KANE CARROLL HOKAMA JOHNSON MATEO MOLINA NISHIKI PONTANILLA TAVARES Chair Vice-Ghair

ROLLCALL Aye Aye Aye Aye Aye Aye Aye Aye Aye