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1998 SESSION

985734468
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 351
Offered January 30, 1998
Commending Will Daniel.
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Patrons-- Thomas, Abbitt, Albo, Almand, Armstrong, Baker, Barlow, Baskerville, Behm, Bennett, Blevins, Bloxom, Brink, Bryant, Byron, Callahan, Cantor, Christian, Clement, Councill, Cox, Cranwell, Crittenden, Croshaw, Darner, Davies, Davis, Day, DeBoer, Deeds, Devolites, Diamonstein, Dillard, Drake, Dudley, Grayson, Griffith, Hall, Hamilton, Hargrove, Harris, Howell, Hull, Ingram, Jackson, Joannou, Johnson, Jones, J.C., Jones, S.C., Katzen, Keating, Kilgore, Landes, Marshall, May, McEachin, McQuigg, Melvin, Morgan, Moss, Murphy, O'Brien, Orrock, Phillips, Plum, Puller, Putney, Reid, Rhodes, Robinson, Rollison, Rust, Scott, Sherwood, Shuler, Spruill, Stump, Tate, Van Landingham, Van Yahres, Wagner, Wardrup, Ware, Watts, Williams and Woodrum
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WHEREAS, when the UCLA soccer team arrived in Richmond for the national championship soccer tournament in December 1997, they were met by Pat Daniel of Richmond, the local host for the visiting Californians; and

WHEREAS, much more important to the fortunes of the UCLA Bruins, they were effectively adopted by Will Daniel, Pat Daniel's 16-year-old son; and

WHEREAS, Will Daniel, a junior at J. R. Tucker High School in Henrico County, offered the UCLA soccer team his unreserved support and affection, emotions that struck a responsive chord in the Bruins and the coach, Sigi Schmid; and

WHEREAS, soon accoutered with UCLA team apparel and a regular part of practices and pre-game workouts, Will Daniel became the emotional spark for a Bruins team that upset undefeated and top-ranked Indiana University in the national semifinal game; and

WHEREAS, facing the University of Virginia in the NCAA national title game, Coach Sigi Schmid again was drawn to Will Daniel's utterly honest and unaffected support for the team and love for the game; and

WHEREAS, Coach Schmid told his Bruin players to be, like Will Daniel, completely honest with each other and in their effort in the title game, an approach that paid off with a 2-0 victory and the national championship; and

WHEREAS, the UCLA players carried Will Daniel on their shoulders after their triumph, brought him to the podium for the awards ceremony, gave him team jerseys and hats, and, in a striking gesture, UCLA player Shea Travis gave Will Daniel his NCAA championship watch; and

WHEREAS, Will Daniel was born with Down's syndrome; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Will Daniel for becoming the inspiration, the heart, and the soul of the NCAA soccer champions from UCLA; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Will Daniel as an expression of the General Assembly's respect and admiration for a remarkable young man.