THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY BEYER, MANN, BRENNAN, SAMUELSON, ADOLPH, BEAR, BOYD, BURNS, CALTAGIRONE, CLYMER, COHEN, CONKLIN, D. COSTA, CREIGHTON, DAY, DELOZIER, DiGIROLAMO, DONATUCCI, EVERETT, FAIRCHILD, FLECK, FREEMAN, GEIST, GEORGE, GIBBONS, GILLESPIE, GINGRICH, GOODMAN, GRUCELA, HELM, HENNESSEY, HESS, HICKERNELL, KILLION, KORTZ, KOTIK, MAHONEY, MAJOR, McCALL, MELIO, MILLARD, MOUL, PALLONE, PARKER, PASHINSKI, PAYNE, PRESTON, QUINN, RAPP, READSHAW, REED, REICHLEY, ROHRER, ROSS, SAINATO, SANTONI, SAYLOR, SCAVELLO, SIPTROTH, K. SMITH, SWANGER, TRUE, VULAKOVICH, WALKO, YOUNGBLOOD AND SOLOBAY, MARCH 17, 2009

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, MARCH 17, 2009  

A RESOLUTION

Recognizing the Allentown Patriots Athletic Association for more

than 60 years of dedicated community service.

WHEREAS, On April 26, 2008, the Allentown Patriots Athletic

Association commemorated the 60th anniversary of its charter;

and

WHEREAS, The first team was formed in 1940 by the Patriot

Order Sons of America, a fraternal organization that became

keenly interested in the game of softball; and

WHEREAS, From this humble beginning arose an athletic

association that has sponsored 14 teams annually, built a sports

community building and a park and offered 450 athletic contests

in recent seasons to athletes ranging in age from "youngster" to

"old-timer" in both softball and hardball; and

WHEREAS, The association has created an acclaimed program in

fastpitch softball; and

WHEREAS, Earl F. Hunsicker Bicentennial Park, also known as

Pates Park, opened on August 25, 1976, primarily through the

efforts of the Allentown Patriots Athletic Association; and

WHEREAS, Pates Park now hosts all of the association's home

athletic events; and

WHEREAS, Pates Park has also hosted world-class women's

softball, featuring Team USA, National Pro Fastpitch and the

Greek Olympic Team and has hosted three national fastpitch

softball tournaments, in 1976, 1978 and 1984; and

WHEREAS, The Allentown Patriots Athletic Association is to be

commended for its ongoing commitment to provide opportunities

for youth and adults in sports and valuable lessons in teamwork,

leadership and responsibility; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the

Allentown Patriots Athletic Association for more than 60 years

of dedicated community service.