S*0738 Resolution, By Verdin
 A SENATE RESOLUTION HONORING GUY "SNOW" PRATER, LEGENDARY BASEBALL GREAT WHO
 REPRESENTED THE "BEST OF THE BEST" OF THE TEXTILE LEAGUES, WHOSE NAME WAS
 SYNONYMOUS WITH BASEBALL AND WHO WAS AN EXCELLENT ROLE MODEL FOR THE MANY
 YOUNG PEOPLE WHO LOOKED UP TO HIM, A TRUE SPORTS HERO IN HIS COMMUNITY AND A
 GREAT CITIZEN WHO WAS WELL-KNOWN AND HIGHLY RESPECTED AMONG HIS PEERS.

   05/08/07  Senate Introduced and adopted SJ-3

HONORING GUY "SNOW" PRATER, LEGENDARY BASEBALL GREAT WHO REPRESENTED THE "BEST OF THE BEST" OF THE TEXTILE LEAGUES, WHOSE NAME WAS SYNONYMOUS WITH BASEBALL AND WHO WAS AN EXCELLENT ROLE MODEL FOR THE MANY YOUNG PEOPLE WHO LOOKED UP TO HIM, A TRUE SPORTS HERO IN HIS COMMUNITY AND A GREAT CITIZEN WHO WAS WELL-KNOWN AND HIGHLY RESPECTED AMONG HIS PEERS.

Whereas, Guy "Snow" Prater began his baseball career in the 1940's at the old Joanna School baseball field where he played for Joanna Mill in the Mid-State Textile Baseball League alongside the legendary Tommy Lasorda, who fondly remembered "Snow" Prater as able to "hit a ball a mile"; and

Whereas, "Snow" Prater signed with the "Hi-Toms", the Thomasville-High Point Dodgers in North Carolina in 1947 where he played right field, and was described as the powerhouse of the ball club and a home run threat every time he went to the plate; and

Whereas, "Snow" Prater later signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers where he was converted to an outfielder and became a prodigious poker of home runs; and

Whereas, "Snow" Prater was a left-hand hitter, a great athlete and a graceful and powerful batter with a towering frame who often hit soaring home runs which kept the communities buzzing in admiration and was known not only for his game-winning possibilities, but also for his crowd appeal; and

Whereas, "Snow" Prater played baseball because he loved the game and was an excellent role model for the many young people who looked up to him, a true sports hero in his community and a great citizen who was well-known and highly respected among his peers; and

Whereas, "Snow" Prater took a break from his baseball career in 1941 to join the United States Army where he served for thirty-four months, twenty-two of them in the Pacific where he received three battle stars and two Philippine Liberations stars; and

Whereas, "Snow" Prater was married to the former Barbara Willingham; and

Whereas, "Snow" Prater passed away on June 30, 2006 after a seven year battle with lung cancer; and

Whereas, Guy "Snow" Prater, a devoted Christian family man who has left behind many fond and enjoyable memories, will be sorely missed by his beloved family and friends.

Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the Senate, by this resolution, honor Guy "Snow" Prater, baseball great and hero in his community, and express their deep sorrow on the death of Mr. Prater.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the family of Guy "Snow" Prater.