S*0764 Resolution, By Russell, Courtney and Reese
 A SENATE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND CONGRATULATE THE GIRLS' 1600 METER RELAY
 TEAM AND ITS COACHES OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF AND THE BLIND
 IN SPARTANBURG FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE STATE TRACK AND FIELD
 CHAMPIONSHIP HELD ON THURSDAY, MAY 15, 1997.

   05/20/97  Senate Introduced and adopted SJ-9

TO RECOGNIZE AND CONGRATULATE THE GIRLS' 1600 METER RELAY TEAM AND ITS COACHES OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF AND THE BLIND IN SPARTANBURG FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE STATE TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIP HELD ON THURSDAY, MAY 15, 1997.

Whereas, the girls' 1600 meter relay team of the South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind (SCSDB) in Spartanburg successfully competed in the Class 'A' State Track and Field Championships held at the Weems-Baskins Track at the University of South Carolina held on May 15, 1997; and

Whereas, the girls' 1600 meter relay team includes Shelia Jones of Charleston, Jessica Smith of Bennettsville and Tiffany Wallace of Chester who are enrolled in SCSDB's Deaf Division and Sonya Bell of Chester who is enrolled in SCSDB's Blind Division; and

Whereas, the girls' 1600 meter relay team finished sixth at the Class 'A' State Track and Field Championships and star team member Sonya Bell became the first totally blind runner in the nation to compete at a United States high school track championship; and

Whereas, Sonya Bell set a national record for totally blind runners by covering 400 meters in 67.1 seconds on April 24 at the Spartanburg County Track and Field Championships and has set her hopes on representing the United States on the 2000 Paralympic team; and

Whereas, Sonya Bell was presented the 1994 Arete Award for courage in sports by pro tennis star Monica Seles, and her numerous accomplishments have been featured by the CBS Evening News, ESPN, Fox News Network, SC-ETV, Sports Illustrated and Jet Magazine; and

Whereas, the girls' 1600 meter relay team of the South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind is guided by two outstanding coaches, Jack Todd and Bill Ramborger, who have selflessly devoted many hours of time and talent so that each athlete can achieve the full measure of her potential; and

Whereas, the girls'1600 meter relay team and its coaches of the South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind have been and continue to be a true testimony to the talent and desire to achieve excellence and serve as an example of dedication and devotion for all citizens of South Carolina to follow. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the Senate of the State of South Carolina, by this resolution, hereby congratulate the girls' 1600 meter relay team and its coaches of the South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind for successfully competing in the Class 'A' State Track and Field Championships, finishing sixth, and recognize star team member Sonya Bell for becoming the first totally blind runner in the nation to compete at a United States high school track championship.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Coach Jack Todd, Coach Bill Ramborger, Shelia Jones, Jessica Smith, Tiffany Wallace and Sonya Bell.