RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the Jackie Robinson West Little League team thrilled and delighted all Chicagoans and baseball fans throughout the country by winning the United States Little League championship in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, August 23, 2014; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has been advised of this memorable achievement by the Honorable Carrie M. Austin, Alderman of the 34th Ward and Honorable Howard Brookins, Alderman of the 21st Ward; and
WHEREAS, the Jackie Robinson West team, which has become known across the City and the country as "JRW," plays its home games in Jackie Robinson Park in the great 34th Ward; and
WHEREAS, the Jackie Robinson West league was founded in 1971 by Joseph Haley and draws its players from the Englewood, Auburn-Gresham, Morgan Park and Washington Heights communities; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Haley sought not only to instill a love of baseball in league members, but also to use sports to prepare them for adulthood without taking away the innocent enthusiasm of childhood; and
WHEREAS, in the four decades since the league's founding, those values have continued under the administration of Annie Haley, the founder's widow, and their son, William Haley, who are responsible for the league's day to day operations; and
WHEREAS, the Jackie Robinson West team dominated the Illinois competition in the run-up to the Little League World Series, and defeated a tough Indiana squad to go to Williamsport as the Great Lakes Region representative; and
WHEREAS, in the World Series double-elimination tournament, Jackie Robinson West faced increasingly challenging competition and even lost one game. But that loss did not deter them or diminish their confidence; rather, it spurred them on to win a seesaw battle against a tough Nevada team to claim the United States Little League championship; and
WHEREAS, as Jackie Robinson West advanced, the team's fan base continued to grow: outdoor viewing parties were arranged at Jackie Robinson Park and on State Street in the Loop, and numerous informal gatherings developed as Chicagoans caught the fever and united to cheer their young heroes; and
WHEREAS, not interested in individual statistics or personal glory, even when shown on national television, the players of Jackie Robinson West dared to remain selfless in their shared determination to achieve victory; and
WHEREAS, the members of the 2014 Jackie Robinson West team are: D.J. Butler, Lawrence Noble, Jaheim Benton, Ed Howard, Cameron Bufford, Brandon Green, Darion
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Radcliff, Marquis Jackson, Joshua Houston, Eddie King, Prentiss Luster, Pierce Jones and Trey Hondras; and
WHEREAS, all of Chicago was connected in the peaceful celebration of these 13 amazing 11 and 12 year olds; and
WHEREAS, ably trained and coached by head coach Darrold Butler and assistant coaches Jason Little and Jerry Houston, the athletes of Jackie Robinson West exhibit the best in competition: support for each other, respect for opponents, determination in the face of adversity, courage and confidence under pressure, humility in victory, and true sportsmanship in all aspects of their game; and
WHEREAS, as our city continues to struggle with violence, the Jackie Robinson West team has shown us the benefits and the necessity of creating more opportunities for our youth and our communities; and
WHEREAS, it is not only their championship play, but also their championship character and sportsmanship that have inspired our city, uniting all of Chicago in admiration for their present achievement and great hope for their future; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED that we, the Mayor and members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this 10th day of September, 2014, do hereby honor and congratulate the players, coaches and administration of the Jackie Robinson Little League team, the 2014 United States Little League Champions; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we thank the team for their inspiring play and for the unity and joy they have brought to our city; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that suitable copies of this Resolution be presented to the players, coaches and administration of Jackie Robinson West Little League, as a token of our esteem and appreciation.
Alderman, 21st Ward
CARRIE M. AUSTIN Alderman, 34th Ward
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