Download This Version in Microsoft Word format
TO HONOR AND RECOGNIZE THE LIVES OF JAMES ROBERT "RADIO" KENNEDY AND FORMER T. L. HANNA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL COACH HAROLD JONES, BOTH OF ANDERSON COUNTY, FOR THEIR LIVES OF SERVICE TO T. L. HANNA HIGH SCHOOL AND FOR BEING INSPIRATIONS TO THEIR COMMUNITY, THE STATE, AND THE NATION.
Whereas, since the mid 1960's, James Robert Kennedy has been the conscience for T. L. Hanna High School's athletic teams. Known as Radio to nearly two generations of T. L. Hanna's students because of the transistor radio that is his constant companion, he, through the warmth of his personality and unabashed love for T. L. Hanna High School, has brought out the best in T. L. Hanna's students, faculty, staff, and supporters: compassion, humor, and love; and
Whereas, James Kennedy was hit by a car when he was five years old and suffered irreversible brain damage. When Radio was in his early 20's, T. L. Hanna High School Football Coach Harold Jones became acquainted with Radio and helped him learn to speak. Coach Jones later "adopted" Radio as the team manager; and
Whereas, since then Coach Jones has assumed the role as Radio's surrogate father. Coach Jones makes sure that Radio receives the love, nurturing, and attention that any father would bestow on his son; and
Whereas, for decades, in the summer months Radio was seen whizzing in his grocery cart throughout Anderson, South Carolina. He never missed a football game or track meet and came to T. L. Hanna High School every day, sometimes as early as 4:30 a.m. He was loved and respected by all the students and a major part of the high school's athletics; and
Whereas, Radio's and Coach Jones' lives inspired the movie Radio starring Cuba Gooding, Jr. as James Kennedy and Ed Harris as Coach Jones. This movie was the story of how Radio and Coach Jones helped bring true interracial understanding to the T. L. Hanna Football Team and High School shortly after the Civil Rights era, and how both men were able to inspire the school and community; and
Whereas, the movie about Radio and Coach Harold Jones brought the inspiration and joy of their lives to people throughout the nation and provided a perfect example of how a community can help one man rise above his circumstances and affect the lives of so many for good; and
Whereas, it is fitting and proper for the members of the House of Representatives to honor and recognize the lives of James Robert Radio Kennedy and former T. L. Hanna High School Football Coach Harold Jones for their inspiring life story that has touched the lives of the people throughout this nation. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by The House of Representatives:
That the members of the House of Representatives, by this resolution, honor and recognize the lives of James Robert "Radio" Kennedy and former T. L. Hanna Football Coach Harold Jones, both of Anderson County, for their lives of service to T. L. Hanna High School and for being an inspiration to the their community, the State, and the nation.
Be it further resolved that copies of this resolution be presented to James Robert "Radio" Kennedy and Coach Harold Jones.
This web page was last updated on Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at 2:34 P.M.