S*0437 Resolution, By Knotts
 A SENATE RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE THE COLUMBIA INFERNO ON THEIR OUTSTANDING
 PERFORMANCE IN THE 2001-2002 AND 2002-2003 PROFESSIONAL HOCKEY SEASONS,
 COMMEND THEM FOR THEIR DEDICATION, TEAMWORK, AND PROFESSIONALISM IN ONE OF THE
 MOST COMPETITIVE OF PROFESSIONAL SPORTS, AND TO WISH THEM EVERY SUCCESS AND A
 BRIGHT FUTURE IN THE WORLD OF PROFESSIONAL HOCKEY.

   03/04/03  Senate Introduced and adopted SJ-5

TO CONGRATULATE THE COLUMBIA INFERNO ON THEIR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN THE 2001-2002 AND 2002-2003 PROFESSIONAL HOCKEY SEASONS, COMMEND THEM FOR THEIR DEDICATION, TEAMWORK, AND PROFESSIONALISM IN ONE OF THE MOST COMPETITIVE OF PROFESSIONAL SPORTS, AND TO WISH THEM EVERY SUCCESS AND A BRIGHT FUTURE IN THE WORLD OF PROFESSIONAL HOCKEY.

Whereas, Columbia's hometown professional hockey team, the Columbia Inferno, played the first professional hockey game ever in Columbia on October 8, 1999. Although the sport of hockey is relatively new to South Carolina, the Inferno's first game was attended by more than nine thousand hockey fans; and

Whereas, introducing many in the Midlands to their first taste of professional hockey, the Inferno's second weekend in Columbia, the next year, October 6-8, 2000, drew more than eleven thousand fans in attendance at the Carolina Coliseum; and

Whereas, exhibiting true professionalism, and to the delight of their fans, the Columbia Inferno ended the 2001-2002 season, their first as a professional hockey team, by clinching a birth in the playoffs and finishing third in the Southeast Division. The Inferno also won the Palmetto Cup; and

Whereas, in the 2002-2003 season, the Columbia Inferno's second as a professional hockey team, they were the first team in the Southeast Division to clinch a playoff berth. The Inferno also won the Boarder Cup and their second consecutive Palmetto Cup; and

Whereas, currently first place in the Southeast Division of the East Coast Hockey League, the Columbia Inferno has exhibited great teamwork and professionalism, has given their new fans tremendous excitement and entertainment in a sport that is relatively new to South Carolina and the region. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the Senate, by this resolution, congratulate the Columbia Inferno on their outstanding performance in the 2001-2002 and 2002-2003 professional hockey seasons, commend them for their dedication, teamwork, and professionalism in one of the most competitive of professional sports, and wish them every success and a bright future in the world of professional hockey.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the Columbia Inferno, of Columbia.