HR0150 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0150 LRB094 11108 HSS 42021 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the House of Representatives are pleased to honor the Amateur Hockey Association Illinois, Inc., Hornets Youth Sled Hockey Team, based in Bensenville; and

WHEREAS, Sled hockey is an ice sport that allows individuals with disabilities to enjoy hockey; it is very similar to "stand-up hockey" in terms of concept and rules; the main difference is that instead of standing up to skate, participants sit on their skates using an adaptive device known as a sled, which is affixed with two skate blades and a runner in the front to form a tripod; the other main difference is that in sled hockey participants use two shortened hockey sticks with a blade on one end and a pick (similar to the end of a figure skate) on the other end, which enables them to propel themselves across the ice much like in cross country skiing; and

WHEREAS, The Hornets' mission is to provide any youngsters 17 years old or younger with a physical disability the opportunity, at no cost, to learn, enjoy and have fun playing the game of hockey; the program is funded in part through a grant to AHAI from Chicago Blackhawk Charities, a fund of the McCormick Tribune Foundation; and

WHEREAS, The Hornets program was started in 2004 by a group of experienced and dedicated individuals within the Illinois hockey community to provide an opportunity for everyBODY to participate in this great sport; the ultimate goal is to get as many players who are interested on the ice this year; and

WHEREAS, The Hornets practice every Wednesday night at the Edge Ice Arena in Bensenville; the team attended the first annual Disabled Hockey Festival in Detroit, Michigan, from February 18-20, 2005; all four disabled disciplines were represented: sled hockey, special hockey, amputee hockey, and hearing impaired hockey; and

WHEREAS, The members of the Hornets are Michael McCarthy, Brad Pawelkiewicz, Nick Trcjanowicz, Brianna Fuentes, Pearl Gannon, Peter Bleka, Dan Suero, Kyle Picchetti, Sean Grady, Kelsey Haase, Brendan Meyers, Nathanael Rymsza, Erica Mitchell, Ronen Young, Sandra Nehmzow, Matt Trilo, Steven Fako, and John Wrubel; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we honor the members of the Bensenville Hornets Youth Sled Hockey Team for their courage and determination to participate in a sport, when many would tell them they could not; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Hornets Sled Hockey Team as an expression of our sincere respect and esteem and with best wishes for the continued success of the organization.