[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 542 Engrossed in House (EH)]


                 In the House of Representatives, U.S.,

                                                      October 10, 2002.
Whereas the Bryan Packers baseball team from West Point, Mississippi, is the 
        2002 champion of the American Legion World Series;
Whereas the American Legion baseball program began in 1926 and is the oldest 
        amateur baseball program in the United States and includes 5,300 
        registered baseball teams;
Whereas 55 percent of professional baseball players and 70 percent of college 
        baseball players played American Legion baseball as teenagers;
Whereas the West Point team is the first team from Mississippi ever to win the 
        American Legion World Series;
Whereas a team from Region 4, which includes Mississippi, has won the American 
        Legion Championship only twice before, most recently in 1968;
Whereas the Packers have won 4 State titles in the past 6 years;
Whereas this North Mississippi team finished the 3 month season with a record of 
        47-13, and went 12-2 in post-season play;
Whereas 4 members of the All-Tournament team, Corey Carter, Dusty Snider, Josh 
        Johnson, and Jeff Shafer, were Bryan Packers;
Whereas the Tournament Most Valuable Player was Packers pitcher, Josh Johnson;
Whereas Josh Johnson also won the tournament's Bob Feller Pitching Award with 34 
        strikeouts;
Whereas Corey Carter won the tournament's Rawlings Big Stick Award with 31 
        bases; and
Whereas Packers Coach Frank Portera, who started the West Point team 9 years 
        ago, won the tournament's Jack Williams Memorial Leadership award: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) congratulates the Bryan Packers American Legion baseball team 
        from West Point, Mississippi, for their outstanding performance in 
        winning the 2002 American Legion World Series;
            (2) recognizes Frank Portera, the Packers' coach, and players Justin 
        Best, Russell Bourland, Corey Carter, Joby Garner, Tyler Hunter, Scottie 
        Jacobs, Drew Jaudon, Josh Johnson, Lance Martin, Brandon McGarity, Dave 
        Nanney, Brent Patton, John Raymond Pitre, Taylor Robertson, Jeff 
        Schafer, Dusty Snider, Chris Stamps, and Rod Williams for demonstrating 
        excellence and character throughout the baseball season; and
            (3) commends American Legion Baseball for its 76-year tradition of 
        encouraging the development of sportsmanship and confidence in youth 
        through its sponsorship of world-class baseball.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.