House Resolution 88

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE MANY ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF TIM TEBOW AND CONGRATULATING HIM FOR SERVING AS THE INAUGURAL SPEAKER AT THE FIRST ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP GALA HOSTED BY BLUE MOUNTAIN COLLEGE.

WHEREAS, Tim Tebow is infinitely more than just an exceptional, dual-threat quarterback and college football analyst, he possesses a remarkable persona that transcends the football field and truly embodies the tenets of truth, knowledge and virtue that represent the ideologies upheld by Blue Mountain College; and

WHEREAS, born on August 14, 1987, in the Philippines to Christian missionaries Bob and Pam Tebow, who instilled in him the importance of having a relationship with the Lord and treating others with dignity and respect throughout his life, which made him into the God-fearing man he is today; and

WHEREAS, Tim's rise to football stardom escalated quickly once he assumed the role of starting quarterback at Nease High School and became known as the quarterback with a prolific ability to rush the pigskin into the end zone but also throw passes that sailed smoothly through the air and landed perfectly in the arms of his receivers as they sprinted to the goal line, and he led the Nease High School Panthers to a state football title his senior season, garnering him the title of Florida's Mr. Football and skyrocketing him to the forefront of every college scout's list of top recruits in the nation; and

WHEREAS, entering college as one of the most admired yet feared freshmen quarterbacks at the time, Tim led the Florida Gators to win the 2008 SEC Championship and BCS National Championship, times during which his mental stamina and athletic prowess never wavered from the moment he exited the locker room until the final buzzer signaled victory and the Gators' well-deserved championship trophies were raised under the stadium's twinkling lights; and

WHEREAS, by the time he finished his college career, Tim Tebow was awarded the Heisman Trophy, the elite award, a true testament of his outstanding adeptness as a college football player whose performance best exhibited the pursuit of excellence with integrity and combined with diligence, perseverance and hard work; and

WHEREAS, while Tim has excelled on the field, successfully breaking one record after another, his deep and uncompromising faith in God will undoubtedly be the character trait that withstands the test of time in the hearts and memories of his multitude of fans, as the courage of his convictions have influenced numerous players, started a global trend of kneeling to pray after completing a special goal and inspired his autobiography, Through My Eyes, which spent 24 weeks on the New York Times best seller list and was named the number one, best-selling sports and religion book in 2011; and

WHEREAS, Tim has not only achieved his lifelong dream of becoming an NFL quarterback, but at the end of his tenure at Florida, he held 5 NCAA, 14 SEC and 28 University of Florida records; however, his more noteworthy accomplishments continue to be his selfless desire to minister to the needs of others through his benevolent, philanthropic work with the Tim Tebow Foundation, a feat that is measured not by records but by the numerous lives that have been enriched due to his positive influence and godly witness; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend the lives of inspirational athletic role models, especially those such as Tim Tebow, whose indomitable faith and motivating spirit have encouraged and uplifted the students at Blue Mountain College and throughout this great Magnolia State:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the many accomplishments of Tim Tebow and congratulate him for serving as the inaugural speaker at the first annual scholarship gala hosted by Blue Mountain College and extend our most sincere wishes for continued success in all of his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Tim Tebow, Blue Mountain College and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.