Georgia-2011-HR1588-Introduced

By: Representatives Howard of the 121st, Frazier of the 123rd, Sims of the 119th, Murphy of the 120th, and Smith of the 122nd

Commending Deon Grant and inviting him to be recognized by the House of Representatives; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, Deon Grant is a native of Augusta, Georgia, who began his football career playing at T.W. Josey High School in the 1990's, where as a senior he posted 99 tackles, six interceptions, five forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, and caught 28 passes for 622 yards with eight touchdowns; and

WHEREAS, at T.W. Josey High School, Deon was a member of the Academic Decathlon Team and the National Honor Society; and

WHEREAS, Deon was the nation's top defensive back recruit when he attended the University of Tennessee; and

WHEREAS, he was a first-team All American selection by the Sporting News, Football News, Walter Camp, and the American Football Coaches Association, and a second-team pick by the Associated Press; and

WHEREAS, after tying an NCAA record with 11 interceptions as a junior, he was drafted into the NFL and was a second-round pick by the Carolina Panthers in 2000, starting in every professional game he has ever played; and

WHEREAS, on March 11, 2004, he signed as an unrestricted free agent with the Jacksonville Jaguars where he played for three seasons before signing with the Seattle Seahawks in 2007, becoming the highest paid defensive back in NFL history; and

WHEREAS, since April of 2010 he has been playing safety for the New York Giants, and he has achieved his attempt to become the third former T.W. Josey High School football player to be part of a Super Bowl winning team, joining 1991 Washington Redskins tight end Jimmie Johnson and 2006 Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Arnold Harrison; and

WHEREAS, Deon Grant has been a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award and competed in the 1998 NCAA National Championship and Super Bowl XXXVIII; and

WHEREAS, through perseverance and iron determination, Deon Grant and the New York Giants won Super Bowl XLVI; and

WHEREAS, the phenomenal performance of this man is a clear indication of the outstanding athletic ability, dedication and hard work, and talents he has honed over his career; and

WHEREAS, as this Georgian earned his well-deserved reputation for excellence by performing with courage and precision over years of training and competition, it is abundantly proper that he be appropriately recognized.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body commend Deon Grant for his years of hard work and perseverance, recognize his outstanding contributions in the NFL and with the New York Giants' Super Bowl victory, and invite him to be recognized by the House of Representatives at a date and time designated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to Deon Grant.