SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 66 Offered January 11, 2006 Prefiled January 10, 2006 Commending the Bethel High School girls' track team. ---------- Patron-- Locke ----------

WHEREAS, the Bethel High School girls' track team won the 2005 Virginia High School League Group AAA girls' outdoor track and field state championship; and

WHEREAS, the Bruins, under tremendous pressure, had worked extremely hard all season and were fiercely determined to win the 2005 state championship; and

WHEREAS, the track state title was the fifth in a row for the Bruins, but the 2005 win came down to the final event, where the 1600-meter relay team placed fourth, giving the team a five-point advantage, enough to defeat Heritage, their tough Peninsula District rival; and

WHEREAS, Francena McCorory, an outstanding Bethel High School junior, won three gold medals at the meet, including winning the 100-meter and 200-meter events for the third consecutive year; and

WHEREAS, Coach Eddie Williams said, that of the Bruin's five straight championships, this year’s championship was by far the toughest competition for the girls, who are a close-knit, competitive, and disciplined group; and

WHEREAS, the extraordinary success of the Bruins is a tribute to the talent, dedication, and teamwork of the players, the leadership of Head Coach Eddie Williams, and the support of the parents, students, and faculty of Bethel High School; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Bethel High School girls' track team on its Group AAA state outdoor track and field championship and its memorable 2005 season; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Head Coach Eddie Williams on behalf of all of the members of the 2005 Bethel High School girls' track team as an expression of the General Assembly’s congratulations on their outstanding performance.