HR1040 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1040 LRB093 22467 KEF 51997 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to recognize Kevin Bracken of Chicago, a member of the 2000 United States Greco-Roman wrestling Olympic team, as he retires from his wrestling career; and

WHEREAS, Kevin's wrestling career began in the seventh grade on the south side of Chicago; his father, Bill, and his brother, Billy, were major influences on his decision to begin wrestling; in his second year of wrestling, he qualified for the Kids State Tournament; and

WHEREAS, He attended St. Laurence High School in Burbank, a school with a strong tradition in wrestling and other sports; in his junior year he won Junior National Championships in Greco-Roman Wrestling; Kevin led the St. Laurence Vikings to their first wrestling State Championship as team captain and most valuable wrestler his senior year; and

WHEREAS, Kevin competed for Illinois State University from 1991 to 1995, where he broke the school's record for career wins; he was the youngest competitor in the 1992 Olympic Trials and took fourth place; after attending the 1996 Olympics as an alternate, he accepted the position of top assistant coach at Northern Illinois University, where he helped coach two-time All-American wrestler Jeremy Goeden, the school's first All-American in 22 years; and

WHEREAS, From 1996 to 2003, Kevin was a member of Team USA, which consists of the top three individuals at each weight class; as a member of this team, he visited 22 countries and wrestled in over 50 international matches; one of his biggest wins was over World Champion Nikolai Monov of Russia in the World Cup; and

WHEREAS, Kevin went into the 2000 Olympic Trials as the favorite, and he won matches in the best-of-three series by scores of 4-0 and 7-4 to claim a spot on the U.S. Greco-Roman Olympic team; competing in the Olympic Games was a dream come true for Kevin; he started the tournament with a dominating 12-5 win over the 1999 World Silver Medalist; the Olympic Games came to a close with Kevin taking 6th place in Sydney; and

WHEREAS, Kevin's first U.S. Open National Championship was in 1997; he placed in the top four in the United States from 1991 to 2003, missing one national championship due to appendicitis; he won the 2001, 2002, and 2003 National Championships; and

WHEREAS, Kevin's hopes for making the 2004 U.S. Greco-Roman Olympic team ended when he lost at the finals of 2004 Olympic Trials; in accordance with wrestling tradition, he placed his shoes in the center of the the mat following his last match to signify his retirement; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize Kevin Bracken on his outstanding wrestling career, we congratulate him for representing the United States in the sport of Greco-Roman wrestling with dedication and courage; and we wish him well in all his future endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Kevin Bracken as a token of our admiration and respect.