10 LC
94 2794
Senate
Resolution 1309
By:
Senators Chance of the 16th and Rogers of the 21st
A
RESOLUTION
Recognizing
and commending Oakland Raiders owner Mr. Allen "Al" Davis; and for other
purposes
WHEREAS,
Mr. Allen "Al" Davis has long been recognized for the vital role he has played
in leadership and has earned a well-deserved reputation within the football
community as an individual with class and integrity; and
WHEREAS,
Mr. Davis was born on July 4, 1929, in Brockton, Massachusetts, and attended
Wittenberg University and Syracuse University, where he earned a degree in
English; and
WHEREAS,
he began his distinguished career coaching football as the line coach for
Adelphi College and went on to lead successful teams as head coach of the U.S.
Army team at Ft. Belvoir, Virginia, a line coach and chief recruiter for The
Citadel, and an offensive end coach at the University of Southern California;
and
WHEREAS,
in 1960, Mr. Davis joined professional football as the offensive end coach for
the Los Angeles Chargers, and three years later he became head coach and general
manager of the American Football League's Oakland Raiders, transforming it into
a winning program with a 10-4 record and earning himself the title of American
Football League Coach of the Year; and
WHEREAS,
Mr. Davis spent three seasons as head coach with the Raiders and compiled an
impressive record of 23-16-3, before he was named commissioner of the American
Football League in 1966, a position which he resigned that same year in protest
to the merger of the league with its competitor, the National Football League;
and
WHEREAS,
Mr. Davis brought great pride and poise to the Raiders, demonstrating a
commitment to excellence and establishing the team of the decades;
and
WHEREAS, during his tenure with the Raiders, the team has been one of the most successful in all of professional sports, winning 13 division championships from 1967 to 1985, one American League Football championship, and three Super Bowls; and
WHEREAS, during his tenure with the Raiders, the team has been one of the most successful in all of professional sports, winning 13 division championships from 1967 to 1985, one American League Football championship, and three Super Bowls; and
WHEREAS,
Mr. Davis has been recognized with numerous awards during his career, including
induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a team and league administrator;
and
WHEREAS,
his significant organizational and leadership talents, his remarkable patience
and diplomacy, his keen sense of vision, and his business savvy and acumen have
earned him the respect and admiration of his coaches, players, and competitors,
and it is abundantly fitting and proper that his outstanding accomplishments be
appropriately recognized.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body commend
Mr. Allen "Al" Davis on his outstanding accomplishments and achievements in
football and extend their most sincere best wishes for many more successful
seasons.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed
to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to Mr. Allen "Al" Davis.