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2006 SESSION

069711342
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 450
Offered March 3, 2006
Commending Little League Baseball Challenger Week in Virginia.
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Patrons-- Iaquinto, Alexander, Cosgrove, Howell, A.T., Joannou, Miller, Purkey, Suit, Tata, Wardrup and Welch; Senators: Blevins, Miller, Quayle, Rerras, Stolle and Wagner
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WHEREAS, the first annual Challenger Little League Baseball Worldwide Jamboree will be hosted by Little League Virginia District 8, and held May 11-14, 2006, at the Azalea Little League Complex in Norfolk, Virginia; and

WHEREAS, the selection of Norfolk as the host city was made by Steve Keener, president and chief executive officer of Little League Baseball and Softball in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and announced by Mayor Paul Fraim in Norfolk; and

WHEREAS, the Challenger Division is Little League’s program for children with mental and physical disabilities established by Little League International in 1989 to provide boys and girls with disabilities, ages 5-18, the opportunity to experience the joy of playing baseball; and

WHEREAS, Challenger baseball uses a partnering system in which "buddies" help out by pushing a player in their wheelchair, acting as a guide for a player who is visually impaired, or providing any other assistance needed to compete, have fun, and promote camaraderie and good sportsmanship; and

WHEREAS, the 27,000 children who participated in the Challenger Division in 2004 are to be commended, and players from Little League programs in every state in the country and 60 nations around the world will be invited to participate in the 2006 event; and

WHEREAS, an international jamboree was the vision of Jake Hardison, the Virginia Little League coordinator and District 8 administrator, several years ago; he established the Challenger Tournament and Fun Weekend in 1992, and the exciting and well-attended event has been held each year on Mother’s Day weekend; and

WHEREAS, the Little League International Board of Directors approved Jake Hardison's concept of a world tournament on November 12, 2004, and the Challenger Little League Baseball Worldwide Jamboree was born; and

WHEREAS, the City of Norfolk and Little League Virginia Division 8 are privileged and honored to be chosen as the hosts of the Challenger tournament and festivities; and

WHEREAS, the City, the Norfolk Naval Base, Jake Hardison and Virginia District 8, and countless dedicated volunteers and supporters are determined to make the Challenger Little League Baseball Worldwide Jamboree a world-class, spirited, and fun event; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly commend Little League Challenger Week to be held in Norfolk, Virginia, on May 11-14, 2006, and welcome to the Commonwealth the Challenger players and their many friends and families; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Jake Hardison and Virginia Little League District 8 as an expression of the General Assembly's best wishes for a successful and joyful week of festivities.