SENATE COMMEMORATION   NO. 15

        Introduced by: Senators Ham, Albers, Apa, Bogue, Brosz, Brown (Arnold), Cradduck, Daugaard, de Hueck, Dennert, Diedrich (Larry), Diedtrich (Elmer), Drake, Duxbury, Everist, Greenfield, Hagen, Hutmacher, Kleven, Koetzle, Koskan, Madden, McCracken, McIntyre, Moore, Olson (Ed), Putnam, Reedy, Staggers, Sutton (Dan), Symens, Vitter, and Whiting and Representatives Hennies (Thomas), Abdallah, Bartling, Begalka, Bradford, Brown (Richard), Burg, Clark, Davis, Elliott, Flowers, Frost, Fryslie, Gillespie, Glenski, Hansen (Tom), Hanson (Gary), Heineman, Hennies (Don), Holbeck, Hundstad, Hunhoff, Jaspers, Jensen, Klaudt, Koistinen, Konold, Kooistra, Lange, Lintz, Madsen, McCaulley, McCoy, Monroe, Murschel, Nachtigal, Nesselhuf, Olson (Mel), Pederson (Gordon), Peterson (Bill), Pitts, Pummel, Rhoden, Sebert, Sigdestad, Slaughter, Smidt, Solum, Sutton (Duane), Van Etten, Van Norman, and Wick  

         A LEGISLATIVE COMMEMORATION,  Honoring South Dakota native Adam Vinatieri for kicking the winning field goal in Super Bowl XXXVI.

     WHEREAS,  Adam Vinatieri earned first-team all-state honors at Rapid City Central High School and first-team all-conference honors for three seasons at South Dakota State University and was also recognized for his academic excellence; and

     WHEREAS,  Adam, who has been a member of the New England Patriots since 1996, had five game-winning field goals this season, including two in the postseason. He kicked a game tying and then a game winning field goal in the divisional playoff game against Oakland under inclement weather conditions and in the following week capped a thrilling drive in the final two minutes by kicking a 48-yard winning field goal as time expired in the Super Bowl game to give the New England Patriots a 20-17 win over the St. Louis Rams; and

     WHEREAS,  Adam is active in his community and is involved in many worthy charities and causes. He will be remembered for a being a South Dakota native exemplifying his hard work along with good sportsmanship:

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT COMMEMORATED,  by the Seventy-seventh Legislature of the State of South Dakota, that Adam Vinatieri be congratulated on kicking the game winning field goal in Super Bowl XXXVI.