H.C.R. No. 146

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Sally Kipyego has been honored by the YWCA of Lubbock with a Women of Excellence Special Award for her remarkable athletic achievements, and her selection for this tribute is most fitting; and

WHEREAS, The Women of Excellence Award was created in 1989 to emphasize the vital roles that women play in both the civic and professional worlds, honoring women for their achievements and for their contributions to the community as leaders and volunteers; and

WHEREAS, One of the most accomplished women's cross-country runners in NCAA Division I history, Ms. Kipyego has never lost a race in three seasons at Texas Tech University; with three consecutive national championships, she garnered as many prestigious Honda Collegiate Women Sports Awards, becoming only the eighth person to win three straight in any sport in the award's 33-year history; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Kipyego led her team to a program-best sixth place at the 2006 national meet and seventh in 2008, and she was named regional and national Female Cross Country Athlete of the Year by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association each season she competed; she also was the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year in 2006 and an Academic All-Big 12 second team honoree in 2007, and she has won a total of eight national titles to date; and

WHEREAS, In addition to setting the NCAA cross-country championship meet and course record in 2008, Ms. Kipyego holds NCAA records in the indoor 3,000 meters and the outdoor 10,000 meters; indoors, she won national titles for 3,000 meters and 5,000 meters in 2007 and 5,000 meters in 2008, earning national Athlete of the Year honors; she was also Big 12 champion in the distance medley relay, mile, and 3,000 meters in 2007 and in the mile and 3,000 meters in 2008, earning Big 12 Indoor Track Female Athlete of the Year both seasons; and

WHEREAS, In outdoor competition, Ms. Kipyego has national titles in the 10,000 meters and 5,000 meters, adding All America status in the 5,000 meters in 2007 and l,500 meters in 2008; she was honored as the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Female Track Athlete of the Year in 2008 and swept the 5,000 meters and 10,000 meters at the Big 12 Championships; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Kipyego began her college career at South Plains College, where she won national titles in cross-country and the 1,500 meters, 5,000 meters, and 10,000 meters outdoors, earned Female Athlete of the Year honors, and was named a Lady Texan Academic Athlete; she is currently on schedule to earn her bachelor's degree in nursing in May; and

WHEREAS, With her receipt of a Women of Excellence Award, Sally Kipyego joins an elite group of women who have been honored by the YWCA of Lubbock; distinguished by her intelligence, determination, and talent, she is indeed a worthy role model for this and future generations; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the 81st Legislature of the State of Texas hereby congratulate Sally Kipyego on receiving the YWCA of Lubbock's Women of Excellence 2009 Special Award for athletic achievements and extend to her sincere best wishes for continued success and happiness; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Ms. Kipyego as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate.

Isett

______________________________ ______________________________

President of the Senate Speaker of the House

I certify that H.C.R. No. 146 was adopted by the House on April 9, 2009, by a non-record vote.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House

I certify that H.C.R. No. 146 was adopted by the Senate on May 18, 2009, by a viva-voce vote.

______________________________ Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: __________________

Date

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Governor