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2016 SESSION


SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 141
Commending Charles Haley.
 
Agreed to by the Senate, February 4, 2016
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 12, 2016
 

WHEREAS, Charles Haley, a James Madison University alumnus who played in the National Football League and became the only player to earn five Super Bowl championship rings, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2015; and

WHEREAS, a native of Gladys, Charles Haley was a four-year starter on the James Madison University (JMU) football team, where he set the school’s record for career tackles with 506 from 1982 to 1985; he was named as an All-American twice and most valuable defensive player three times and was later elected to the JMU Athletics Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, Charles Haley became the first JMU alumnus selected in the National Football League (NFL) Draft when he was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in 1986; during his first season, he recorded 12 sacks, leading all rookies in the league; and

WHEREAS, playing with the San Francisco 49ers from 1986 to 1991, Charles Haley was a member of the Super Bowl XXIII and Super Bowl XXIV championship teams; he was traded to the Dallas Cowboys in 1992, where he thrived in the team’s 4–3 defensive scheme and helped win three more Super Bowls in 1992, 1993, and 1995; and

WHEREAS, Charles Haley retired as a player in 1999 and became an assistant defensive coach for the Detroit Lions; he remains an active mentor for rookies on the San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys, sharing valuable lessons from both on and off the field, and works with charitable organizations, such as the Jubilee Family Development Center and The Salvation Army; and

WHEREAS, throughout his 12-season career in the NFL, Charles Haley recorded 498 tackles, 100.5 sacks, 26 forced fumbles, eight fumble recoveries, and two interceptions; he was selected for the Pro Bowl five times, named two-time National Football Conference Defensive Player of the Year by United Press International, and is the only player in NFL history to take part in five Super Bowl victories; and

WHEREAS, in addition to being the first JMU alumnus named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Charles Haley was inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in 2006, the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor in 2011, and the Texas Black Sports Hall of Fame in 2012; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Charles Haley on the occasion of his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame with the Class of 2015; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Charles Haley as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for his many achievements and contributions to the world of sports.