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Regular Session, 2013 ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 160
BY SENATORS BROOME AND WARD
A RESOLUTION
To commend and congratulate Kendall Beckwith on being named one of the "Elite Five"
selected to receive the 2013 Watkins Award by The National Alliance of African
American Athletes.
WHEREAS, The National Alliance of African American Athletes was founded in
1989 with the vision of being the preeminent organization helping youth achieve academic
excellence and reach their highest potential; and
WHEREAS, the mission of the alliance is to uplift and mentor youth, focusing on
African-American males, through programs that prepare students for college; leveraging
athletes as catalysts to inspire leadership, while recognizing and rewarding academic,
athletic, and community excellence; and
WHEREAS, The Franklin D. Watkins Memorial Trophy Award was initiated in 1992
to promote academic excellence among young African-American males as a means for
recognizing exceptionally talented African-American male athletes who, by their example,
help promote high academic standards and a commitment to community service; and
WHEREAS, since 1992, the Watkins Award has become the preeminent award
bestowed on the top High School Scholar Athlete in the Nation as the finalists are chosen
based on their unweighted grade point average, their personal statements, extracurricular
activities, community service, and letters of recommendation; and
WHEREAS, at its Awards Ceremony held on February 23rd and 24th, 2013, the
alliance named its "Elite Five" recipients including Kendall Beckwith of Clinton, Louisiana;
and
WHEREAS, Kendall Beckwith is a member of the National Honor Society, the
Honor Roll of America, the Beta Club, and the Future Farmers of America; is a volunteer
with the Clinton Community Football League; has been named ESPN Radio Player of the SR NO. 160 ENROLLED
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Year, Times Picayune of New Orleans Defensive Player of the Year, All-District, All-State
Defensive MVP, All Metro Defensive MVP, and Under Armour All American while also
maintaining a 3.4 GPA at East Feliciana High School; and
WHEREAS, he is one of the nation's premier outside linebacker prospects for the
Class of 2013, one of the top prospects in the state, and a consensus four-star recruit, who
was the recipient of the 2012 Warrick Dunn Award, and who has signed to play football at
LSU; and
WHEREAS, Kendall Beckwith's parents are Wendell and Urhonda Beckwith and he
has a brother, Wendell Beckwith Jr., who plays defensive end for Tulane University, and a
cousin, Darry Beckwith, who was a two-time second-team All-SEC linebacker at LSU.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana that
Kendall Beckwith is hereby recognized and commended on his selection as one of the "Elite
Five" recipients of the 2013 Watkins Award by The National Alliance of African American
Athletes.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate hereby extends best wishes for
continued success to Kendall Beckwith.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Kendall Beckwith.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE