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Regular Session, 2013
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 160
BY SENATORS BROOME AND WARD
COMMENDATIONS. Commends Kendall Beckwith on being selected as one of the "Elite
Five" to receive The Watkins Award by The National Alliance of African American
Athletes.
A RESOLUTION1
To commend and congratulate Kendall Beckwith on being named one of the "Elite Five"2
selected to receive the 2013 Watkins Award by The National Alliance of African3
American Athletes.4
WHEREAS, The National Alliance of African American Athletes was founded in5
1989 with the vision of being the preeminent organization helping youth achieve academic6
excellence and reach their highest potential; and7
WHEREAS, the mission of the alliance is to uplift and mentor youth, focusing on8
African-American males, through programs that prepare students for college; leveraging9
athletes as catalysts to inspire leadership, while recognizing and rewarding academic,10
athletic, and community excellence; and 11
WHEREAS, The Franklin D. Watkins Memorial Trophy Award was initiated in 199212
to promote academic excellence among young African-American males as a means for13
recognizing exceptionally talented African-American male athletes who, by their example,14
help promote high academic standards and a commitment to community service; and15
WHEREAS, since 1992, the Watkins Award has become the preeminent award16
bestowed on the top High School Scholar Athlete in the Nation as the finalists are chosen17
based on their unweighted grade point average, their personal statements, extracurricular18 SR NO. 160
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activities, community service, and letters of recommendation; and1
WHEREAS, at its Awards Ceremony held on February 23th and 24th, 2013, the2
alliance named its "Elite Five" recipients including Kendall Beckwith of Clinton, Louisiana;3
and4
WHEREAS, Kendall Beckwith is a member of the National Honor Society, the5
Honor Roll of America, the Beta Club, and the Future Farmers of America; is a volunteer6
with the Clinton Community Football League; has been named ESPN Radio Player of the7
Year, Times Picayune of New Orleans Defensive Player of the Year, All-District, All-State8
Defensive MVP, All Metro Defensive MVP, and Under Armour All American while also9
maintaining a 3.4 GPA at East Feliciana High School; and10
WHEREAS, he is one of the nation's premier outside linebacker prospects for the11
Class of 2013, one of the top prospects in the state, and a consensus four-star recruit, who12
was the recipient of the 2012 Warrick Dunn Award, and who has signed to play football at13
LSU; and14
WHEREAS, Kendall Beckwith's parents are Wendell and Urhonda Beckwith and he15
has a brother, Wendell Beckwith Jr., who plays defensive end for Tulane University, and a16
cousin, Darry Beckwith, who was a two-time second-team All-SEC linebacker at LSU.17
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana that18
Kendall Beckwith is hereby recognized and commended on his selection as one of the "Elite19
Five" recipients of the 2013 Watkins Award by The National Alliance of African American20
Athletes.21
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate hereby extends best wishes for22
continued success to Kendall Beckwith.23
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to24
Kendall Beckwith.25
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Jerry J. Guillot.
DIGEST
Broome SR No. 160
Commends Kendall Beckwith on his selection as one of the "Elite Five" recipients of the
2013 Watkins Award by The National Alliance of African American Athletes.