THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY BENNINGHOFF, DALEY, REICHLEY, ADOLPH, AUMENT, BOBACK, BOYD, BRADFORD, BURNS, BUXTON, CALTAGIRONE, CAUSER, CLYMER, COHEN, CONKLIN, CUTLER, DAY, DENLINGER, DeWEESE, DiGIROLAMO, J. EVANS, EVERETT, FABRIZIO, FARRY, FLECK, GABLER, GEIST, GEORGE, GILLESPIE, GINGRICH, GODSHALL, GOODMAN, GRELL, GROVE, HACKETT, HAHN, HARHART, HARKINS, HARPER, HARRIS, HEFFLEY, HENNESSEY, HESS, HICKERNELL, HORNAMAN, HUTCHINSON, KAVULICH, M. K. KELLER, W. KELLER, KILLION, KNOWLES, KORTZ, KULA, LONGIETTI, MAHONEY, MAJOR, MANN, MARSICO, MASSER, MATZIE, MICOZZIE, MILLARD, MILLER, MIRABITO, MOUL, MURT, MUSTIO, MYERS, NEUMAN, D. O'BRIEN, O'NEILL, PASHINSKI, PERRY, PETRI, PICKETT, QUINN, READSHAW, REED, ROCK, ROSS, SABATINA, SAINATO, SAMUELSON, SAYLOR, SCAVELLO, CULVER, SCHRODER, K. SMITH, SONNEY, STABACK, STEVENSON, SWANGER, TALLMAN, TAYLOR, TOOHIL, VEREB, VULAKOVICH, WATSON AND YOUNGBLOOD, MAY 11, 2011

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, MAY 11, 2011  

A RESOLUTION

Encouraging The Pennsylvania State University to appropriately

recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of football coach

Joseph Vincent "Joe" Paterno, affectionately known by fans as

"Joe Pa," for his 62 years of service to The Pennsylvania

State University students and athletes and to the

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; and recognizing September 3,

2011, as "Coach Paterno Day" in Pennsylvania.

WHEREAS, Joseph Vincent Paterno, as coach of The Pennsylvania

State University football team, holds the record for the most

wins by a college football coach; and

WHEREAS, On November 6, 2010, Coach Paterno achieved his

400th career win; and

WHEREAS, Only two other individuals have reached this

milestone in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)

football; and

WHEREAS, Coach Paterno's career has been based on the

football philosophy of sound fundamentals, with an emphasis on

defense and team discipline; and

WHEREAS, This philosophy has led to outstanding achievements,

including 37 shutouts, 36 bowl game appearances, 24 bowl game

victories, 21 seasons with at least ten victories, 23 seasons

with a ranking in the top ten, seven seasons with a first-place

ranking, five perfect seasons and two national championships;

and

WHEREAS, Coach Paterno has been inducted into the College

Football Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, Coach Paterno has emphasized high academic

expectations and a commitment to the individual educational

success of his players that ensure each athlete is a student

first; and

WHEREAS, Coach Paterno has achieved an NCAA graduation

success rate that is routinely among the highest in the nation;

and

WHEREAS, Coach Paterno has tirelessly worked to improve The

Pennsylvania State University, including efforts to provide

students with access to a premier library system; and

WHEREAS, Coach Paterno has worked to bring The Pennsylvania

State University and this Commonwealth to the forefront of

competition on academic and athletic fronts; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives congratulate

Joseph Vincent "Joe" Paterno and encourage The Pennsylvania

State University to appropriately recognize, and commensurate

with the recognition provided to football coaches who have

served with similar distinguished records, the efforts and

accomplishments of Coach Paterno; and be it further

RESOLVED, That, as the Penn State Nittany Lions Football Team

begins its 2011 season, September 3, 2011, be recognized as

"Coach Paterno Day" in this Commonwealth; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to

the Athletic Department of The Pennsylvania State University.