sr587_Read_and_adopted_LC_21_9490_2.html
07 LC 21 9490
Senate Resolution 587
By: Senator Ramsey, Sr. of the 43rd

A RESOLUTION


Commending Mr. Fernando Bryant; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, Fernando Bryant was born March 26, 1977, in Camilla, Georgia, and he attended Riverdale High School where he starred in football as a wide receiver/defensive back and in track as a sprinter; as a senior, he garnered All-American honors in football and finished the year with six interceptions, 82 tackles on defense, and 48 receptions on offense; he also was a library aide during his senior year with John Carroll; and

WHEREAS, during his college career, he made 40 starts in 45 games, registering 179 tackles while attending the University of Alabama, and he played in two bowl games and was an All-SEC second team selection in 1996 and 1997 and an All-SEC first team selection in 1998; and

WHEREAS, the Jacksonville Jaguars selected Mr. Bryant in the first round of the 1999 NFL Draft, and he became only the second Jaguar to start every game as a rookie; thereafter, the Detroit Lions signed him to a six-year contract in 2004; unstoppable after spending most of the 2005 season on the injured/reserve list, Fernando Bryant returned to his starting cornerback position in 2006 to start ten games, and in seven NFL seasons, he has started 93 of the 94 games he has played; and

WHEREAS, native Georgian Fernando Bryant was named the Detroit Lions´ 2004 "Man of the Year" and was honored at the "Detroit Sports Fans Choice Awards" and given the 2004 "Humanitarian Award for Outstanding Humanitarian Work By An Athlete"; and

WHEREAS, he established the 25-Sports Foundation in 2001 to provide academic services, guidance, and encouragement to at-risk youth through a variety of programs in Michigan, Georgia, and Tennessee, and his foundation has worked in cooperation with organizations such as Hosea´s Feed the Hungry, Children´s Aid Society, and the National Kidney Foundation on projects to support its surrounding communities; and
WHEREAS, Fernando Bryant also mentors inner city youth through additional programs such as T.A.L.K. (Talk About Life with Kids) at Detroit high schools and activities including an essay-writing contest awarding college scholarships to Georgia youth; and

WHEREAS, Georgia is very proud to have one of the NFL´s distinguished players as one of its own.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body join in recognizing athlete and humanitarian, Mr. Fernando Bryant.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to Mr. Fernando Bryant.