A JOINT RESOLUTION honoring independence high school on having an outstanding football team and honoring the memory of devin howard.
Whereas, on December 9, 2006, the football team at Charlotte's Independence High School won the State's 4-AA Football Championship by defeating Durham's Riverside High School by a score of 49‑19; and
Whereas, the Patriots earned a place in the history books by becoming the State's first public high school football team to win seven straight championships; and
Whereas, since September 2000, the Patriots have won 108 games in a row, which is a national public school record; and
Whereas, many Patriot players have been recognized for their individual efforts, including three players named to Parade Magazine's All‑America team, two players selected as the North Carolina Gatorade players of the year, and players chosen for the Shrine Bowl team; and
Whereas, several former Patriots have played college‑level football in the Atlantic Coast Conference, Southeastern Conference, and other conferences across the United States; and
Whereas, the Patriots owe much of their success during their outstanding 2006 season to head coach Tom Knotts who has been coaching football for 24 years and has a record of 259‑55; and
Whereas, the achievements of Independence High School's football team is a fitting testimonial and memorial to the dedicated young men who have played for the team, including Devin Howard, who died in April of 2005 and had been selected as the defensive player of the year in the ME‑CA 8 conference and as a member of the Charlotte Observer's All‑Observer team and the All‑State team in 2004; and
Whereas, the Patriot's successful football program has brought great honor and distinction to the State and deserves recognition; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
SECTION 1.  The General Assembly congratulates the Independence High School Patriots on winning the 2006 State 4‑AA Football Championship and recognizes the achievements of the players, coaches, students, alumni, and support staff who were instrumental in helping the team succeed.
SECTION 2.  The General Assembly honors the memory of Devin Howard for his contributions to football at Independence High School.
SECTION 3.  The Secretary of State shall transmit a copy of this resolution to the principal and head football coach at Independence High School and the family of Devin Howard.
SECTION 4.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.