STATE OF OKLAHOMA

1st Session of the 54th Legislature (2013)

HOUSE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION 1013	By:	Denney of the House

				and

		Halligan of the Senate

AS INTRODUCED

A Concurrent Resolution opposing the recommendation to eliminate wrestling from the Summer Olympic Games; thanking the United States Olympic Committee and USA Wrestling for supporting wrestling and encouraging members to work to reverse this decision; urging International Olympic Committee to reinstate wrestling as a core sport of the Summer Olympic Games; and directing distribution.   

WHEREAS, wrestling is recognized as one of the world’s oldest competitive sports dating back to 3000 BC; and
WHEREAS, wrestling was one of the original sports of the ancient Greek Olympic Games and of the first modern Olympic Games; and
WHEREAS, Oklahoma’s wrestling history represents the greatest in the land with a total of 64 Olympians, 12 Olympic coaches, and 13 Olympic champions who are either native Oklahomans or representatives of one of our state collegiate wrestling programs; and
WHEREAS, wrestling is one of the world’s most diverse sports, with male and female participants from 177 countries around the world; and
WHEREAS, wrestling embodies the determination, discipline and hard work it takes to succeed in life and sport; and
WHEREAS, wrestling epitomizes the spirit of the Olympic Games.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 1ST SESSION OF THE 54TH OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN:
THAT the Oklahoma Legislature opposes the recommendation of the International Olympic Committee Executive Board to eliminate wrestling from the Summer Olympic Games beginning in 2020.
THAT the Oklahoma Legislature thanks the United States Olympic Committee and USA Wrestling for their continued support of wrestling and encourages its members to work actively to reverse this decision.
THAT the Oklahoma Legislature urges the International Olympic Committee to reinstate wrestling as a core sport of the Summer Olympic Games.
THAT a copy of this resolution be distributed to Lee Roy Smith, Executive Director of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.  

54-1-7946	AM	04/17/13