HJR164INTRODUCED
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HJR164
VAWTPLP-1
By Representatives Mooney, Almond, Baker, Bedsole, Blackshear,
Bolton, Boyd, Bracy, Brinyark, Brown, Butler, Carns, Chestnut,
Clarke, Clouse, Collins, Colvin, Crawford, Daniels, Drummond,
DuBose, Easterbrook, Ellis, England, Ensler, Estes, Faulkner,
Fidler, Fincher, Forte, Garrett, Gidley, Givan, Givens, Gray,
Hall, Hammett, Harbison, Harrison, Hassell, Hendrix, Hill,
Holk-Jones, Hollis, Hulsey, Hurst, Ingram, Jackson, Jones,
Kiel, Kirkland, Lamb, Lands, Lawrence, Ledbetter, Lee,
Lipscomb, Lomax, Lovvorn, Marques, McCampbell, McClammy, Moore
(M), Moore (P), Morris, Oliver, Paramore, Paschal, Pettus,
Pringle, Rafferty, Rehm, Reynolds, Rigsby, Robbins, Robertson,
Sellers, Sells, Shaver, Shaw, Shedd, Shirey, Simpson, Smith,
Sorrells, Stadthagen, Standridge, Starnes, Stringer, Stubbs,
Tillman, Travis, Treadaway, Underwood, Wadsworth, Warren,
Whitt, Whorton, Wilcox, Wood (D), Wood (R), Woods, Yarbrough
RFD:
First Read: 04-Apr-24
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19 VAWTPLP-1 04/04/2024 EVP (L)evp 2024-1403
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First Read: 04-Apr-24
HJR____ MOURNING THE DEATH AND CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF JOHN
MICHAEL KOLEN.
WHEREAS, it is with deep sadness that we note the
passing of John Michael "Mike" Kolen of Birmingham, Alabama,
on April 3, 2024, at the age of 76; and
WHEREAS, his passing leaves a void in the lives of
his loving family, many friends, and the Auburn, Birmingham,
Miami, and Montgomery communities he called home, where he
was highly regarded; and
WHEREAS, Mike Kolen was born on January 31, 1948; he
attended W.A. Berry High School in Hoover, Alabama, where he
was a star on the football team; he matriculated to Auburn
University and played Linebacker position under Coaches Shug
Jordan and Paul Davis; he remained a loyal and dedicated
alumnus to his alma mater and returned every A-Day to
present the Mike Kolen Award to the leading tackler from the
previous season; and
WHEREAS, during his tenure with the Auburn Tigers,
Mr. Kolen led in tackles in 16 of the 25 games he started
from 1967 to 1969, earning All-SEC honors as a junior and
senior and was named Second-team All-American in 1969; he
was nicknamed "Captain Crunch" for his hard-hitting style,
but he was also a man of deep faith and was the first
recipient of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes College
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recipient of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes College
Athlete of the Year Award in 1970; and
WHEREAS, Mike Kolen was drafted to the Miami Dolphins
in 1970, Round 12, pick 289; he played eight seasons with
the Dolphins under Coach Don Shula and was part of the
"Perfect" 1972 unbeaten Super Bowl Champion team, the only
undefeated Super Bowl champion team in NFL history; he
played in three consecutive Super Bowls with the Dolphins in
1972, 1973, and 1974, and won both the 1972 and 1973 Super
Bowls; and
WHEREAS, after retiring from the NFL, Mike Kolen
became a successful businessman; he enjoyed success in real
estate, as the owner and operator of the Montgomery Athletic
Club, and as the founder of Kolen Finacial Team; he authored
The Greatest Team: A Playbook for Champions ; and he was
inducted into Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 1985; and
WHEREAS, Mike Kolen had a fierce love for his family;
he was predeceased by his wife of 45 years, Nancy Kolen; he
is survived by his two children, Kelly and John, and his
five grandchildren, whom he treasured wholeheartedly;
although his presence will be greatly missed, the memory of
Mike Kolen will be cherished in the hearts of all who knew
and loved him; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, BOTH
HOUSES THEREOF CONCURRING, That the death of John Michael
"Mike" Kolen is recorded with deep sadness, and this
resolution is offered in tribute to his life and with
heartfelt sympathy to his family, whose grief is shared by
many.
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