HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 5049 Offered May 10, 2006 Commending Kristi Toliver. ----------
Patrons-- Lohr, Athey, Bell, Fralin, Gilbert, Hamilton, Hugo, Iaquinto, Janis, Jones, S.C., Landes, Lingamfelter, Marshall, R.G., McQuigg, Morgan, Oder, Rapp, Saxman, Scott, E.T., Sherwood, Welch, Wittman and Wright
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WHEREAS, Kristi Toliver, celebrated former Harrisonburg High School Player of the Year, is recognized for her outstanding 2005-2006 college basketball season with the University of Maryland Terrapins; and

WHEREAS, an immensely talented 5' 7" guard, Kristi Toliver has received countless accolades during her stellar basketball career, including being honored as a McDonald's All-American, Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) All-American, second team Parade All-American, EA Sports All-American, second team USA Today All-USA Basketball Team, and Virginia State Gatorade Player of the Year; and

WHEREAS, during her junior and senior years in high school, Kristi Toliver was honored as a three-time all-state athlete and four-time all-region and all-district athlete; she set the single-game Harrisonburg High School record, netting 52 points, and was named Associated Press Group AA Girls Player of the Year; and

WHEREAS, Kristi Toliver participated in the McDonald’s and WBCA all-star games and was named Virginia Ms. Basketball, Valley District Player of the Year, Region 2 Player of the Year, and Daily News Record Player of the Year; and

WHEREAS, Kristi Toliver and her fellow Terrapins performed brilliantly in the 2006 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) championship tournament, winning their first NCAA women's basketball title on April 4, 2006; and

WHEREAS, Kristi Toliver led No. 3 Maryland (34-4) in a competitive first five games on the road and the last in the championship game at TD Banknorth Garden in Boston to complete the second-largest basketball comeback in an NCAA women's title game; and

WHEREAS, with amazing composure and skill, Kristi Toliver hit a memorable 3-pointer under pressure at the end of regulation to cap a 13-point Maryland comeback and made two free throws with 35 seconds left in overtime to give the Terrapins a 78-75 victory over the No. 4 Duke University Blue Devils; and

WHEREAS, an exciting and gifted athlete, Kristi Toliver is an inspiration to young athletes across the Commonwealth and the nation; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Kristi Toliver on her exceptional basketball career and her brilliant performance in the NCAA women's basketball national championship tournament; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Kristi Toliver as an expression of the General Assembly’s appreciation of her extraordinary talents and numerous accomplishments and her dedication to the sport of basketball.