08 LC 95
0778
Senate
Resolution 1214
By:
Senators Wiles of the 37th, Rogers of the 21st, Hill of the 32nd, Thompson of
the 33rd and Stoner of the 6th
A
RESOLUTION
Recognizing
Cool Dreams, Inc.; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
the historic Iditarod Sled Dog Race has been called the "Last Great Race on
Earth" and it is a tribute to Alaska's past, the route serving as a life-saving
highway for the children of Nome, Alaska, in need of medical attention in the
1920's diphtheria outbreak when a serum to fight the disease was brought in by
the intrepid dog mushers and their faithful, hard-driving dogs; and
WHEREAS,
the current race, which began in 1973, is the longest sled dog race in the
world, and it puts man and animal in some of the roughest, most beautiful
terrain in the United States; and
WHEREAS,
teams comprising 16 dogs and their musher must cover over 1,150 miles of jagged
mountain ranges, frozen rivers, dense forests, and miles of windswept coast over
a period of 11 to 21 days, including temperatures far below zero, winds that can
cause a complete loss of visibility, long hours of darkness, and treacherous
climbs; and
WHEREAS,
having never set foot in Alaska before 1997, Georgian Bill Borden trained his
teammates for three years in the frigid cold of Alaska with the support of his
wonderful wife Brenda, and in 2002, Bill became the first Georgian to finish the
Iditarod, in 14 days, four hours, ten minutes, and 14 seconds to become only the
540th person in the world to finish the race; and
WHEREAS,
during that life-changing experience Bill realized that his life rules of proper
planning, perseverance, and following his faith were what allowed him to be one
of the select few to finish the Iditarod; and
WHEREAS,
in order to share these life rules with children, he and his wife founded Cool
Dreams, Inc., a not-for-profit organization dedicated to bringing to children
his message that through proper planning, perseverance, and faith any dream is
possible; and
WHEREAS,
since its inception Bill Borden's presentation has been experienced by over
300,000 people and changed the lives of children from coast to coast, bringing
to life what the determination and faith of one man with a supportive family
from Georgia can do to change the world one child at a time; and
WHEREAS,
it is abundantly fitting and proper for this body to recognize with
particularity the outstanding accomplishments of this extraordinary
organization.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body join
together to recognize Cool Dreams, Inc., for its extraordinary message and work
with children.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is hereby authorized and
directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to Cool Dreams,
Inc., and Bill Borden.