SENATE RESOLUTION 70

(By Senators Plymale, Woelfel, Arvon, Azinger, Baldwin, Beach, Blair, Boley, Boso, Carmichael (Mr. President), Clements, Cline, Drennan, Facemire, Ferns, Gaunch, Jeffries, Karnes, Mann, Maroney, Maynard, Ojeda, Palumbo, Prezioso, Romano, Rucker, Smith, Stollings, Swope, Sypolt, Takubo, Trump, Unger, and Weld)

[Introduced March 10, 2018]

Recognizing Randy Moss for being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Whereas, Randy Moss was born on February 13, 1977, in Rand, West Virginia, the son of Maxine Moss and Randy Pratt; and

Whereas, Randy Moss was twice named the Evans Award winner as West Virginia’s top high school basketball player in 1994 and 1995, and won the Kennedy Award as West Virginia’s top high school football player in 1994; and

Whereas, During his career at Marshall University, Randy Moss set the I-AA record for most games with a touchdown reception (914), most consecutive games with a touchdown reception (13), most touchdown passes caught by a freshman (28), and most receiving yards by a freshman (1,709); and

Whereas, Randy Moss, as a freshman, helped lead Marshall to a Division I-AA championship. As a sophomore, he won the Biletnikoff Award as college football’s top wide receiver. He holds the Marshall University record for career touchdown receptions with 53, and is fifth in career receiving yards with 3,467; and

Whereas, Randy Moss was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round of the 1998 NFL Draft. As a rookie, he was named a Pro Bowl starter and the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. He set an NFL rookie record with 17 touchdown receptions. He ranks fourth in NFL history in career receiving yards and second in career receiving touchdowns; and

Whereas, Randy Moss was inducted into the Marshall Athletics Hall of Fame in 2009. He entered the Minnesota Vikings Ring of Honor in 2017; and

Whereas, On February 3, 2018, Randy Moss was selected to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His son, Thaddeus Moss, will serve as his presenter at his enshrinement ceremony to be held August 4, 2018; and

Whereas, Randy Moss has used his national platform to participate in, found, and finance many charitable endeavors; and

Whereas, In 2005, Randy Moss launched a Celebrity Charity Invitational Bass Tournament, which paired celebrities and corporate sponsors with pro fishermen to raise money for children with treatable mouth problems, such as cleft palate. The tournament’s motto is “fish for a smile”; and

Whereas, In 2008, Randy Moss formed the Links for Learning Foundation, which was established to build learning centers for impoverished student populations in West Virginia; and

Whereas, Randy Moss is a shining example to all West Virginians of what can be accomplish with hard work, dedication, and commitment; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate:

That the Senate hereby recognizes Randy Moss for being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Senate extends its sincere congratulations to Randy Moss for his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Senate extends its most sincere appreciation and gratitude to Randy Moss for his charitable works and dedication to the State of West Virginia; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to Randy Moss.