A JOINT RESOLUTION recognizing joey cheek, a two‑time olympian and north carolina native.
Whereas, Joey Cheek grew up in Greensboro, North Carolina, where he graduated from Dudley Senior High School in 1997; and
Whereas, during high school, Joey Cheek was an accomplished in-line skater who became a junior national champion, set junior national records in the 1,500‑meter and 3,000‑meter events, and served as a member of two junior world in-line skating teams; and
Whereas, in 1995, Joey Cheek took up speed skating, a sport in which he was also successful; and
Whereas, while trying out for the 2002 Winter Olympics, Joey Cheek set American records in the 500‑meter and 1,000‑meter speed skating events, which still stand today; and
Whereas, Joey Cheek won his first Olympic medal during the 2002 Winter Olympics, held in Salt Lake City, Utah, by capturing the bronze for his third-place finish in the 1,000‑meter event; and
Whereas, during the 2006 Winter Olympics, Joey Cheek took the gold medal in the 500‑meter event and the silver in the 1,000‑meter event; and
Whereas, Joey Cheek has served as a role model for young athletes on and off the rink and has earned the admiration and love of thousands of fans around the world; and
Whereas, Joey Cheek has given freely to many causes, including donating his 2006 Olympic bonus to Right to Play, an organization that supports children in developing countries to play sports; and
Whereas, Joey Cheek continues this country's record of excellence in speed skating, which began at the 1924 Winter Games in Chamonix, France, when the late Charles Jewtraw, an American speed skater, won the first gold medal of the games in the 500‑meter race; and
Whereas, Joey Cheek deserves recognition for his tremendous athletic talent and for the honor and distinction he has brought to North Carolina; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
SECTION 1.  The General Assembly honors the memory of Charles Jewtraw for his contributions to the sport of speed skating.
SECTION 2.  The General Assembly congratulates Joey Cheek on his accomplishments in the sport of speed skating and expresses its appreciation for his efforts to help others with his winnings and talent.
SECTION 3.  The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to Joey Cheek.
SECTION 4.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.