HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 817 Offered January 29, 2007 Commending Billy Wagner. ---------- Patron-- Bowling ----------

WHEREAS, Billy Wagner, a native of Tannersville in Tazewell County, is an All-Star relief pitcher with the New York Mets; and

WHEREAS, Billy Wagner graduated from Tazewell High School in 1990 and went on to Ferrum College where he earned a 17-3 record in three years as a pitcher on the baseball team; and

WHEREAS, in 1992, Billy Wagner established two NCAA single-season records, one for averaging 19.1 strikeouts per nine innings and one for allowing, on average, only 1.58 hits per game, and he holds the NCAA Division III mark for career strikeouts with 327 in 182.1 innings; and

WHEREAS, after being drafted by the Houston Astros in 1993 and making his major league debut in September 1995, Billy Wagner went on to become a four-time All-Star, won the 1999 Relief Pitcher of the Year award, twice set a major league record in strikeouts per nine innings, and earned the title of hardest throwing pitcher in the major leagues in 2003; and

WHEREAS, with all his success as a professional baseball player, Billy Wagner has not forgotten his roots in Southwest Virginia, where he was faced with many challenges as a youngster; and

WHEREAS, wanting to give back to the area where he was raised and help children confronted with some of the problems he had as a child, Billy Wagner provided funding for creation of the Second Chance Learning Center, located in Bluefield, which provides counseling and academic support for children facing difficult circumstances; and

WHEREAS, Billy Wagner is an outstanding example for young people everywhere of how hard work and determination can lead to great success and how such success does not have to change one's core values and principles; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Billy Wagner on his many accomplishments as a professional baseball pitcher and his commitment to helping young people; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Billy Wagner as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for his successful baseball career and gratitude for his dedication to the children of Southwest Virginia and the Commonwealth.