LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Erin Hamlin upon the occasion of
winning the 2009 Women's Singles Luge World Championship

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that athletic competi-
tion enhances the moral and physical development of the young people of
this State, preparing them for the future by instilling in them the
value of teamwork, encouraging a standard of healthy living, imparting a
desire for success and developing a sense of fair play and competition;
and
WHEREAS, It is also the custom of this Legislative Body to extend its
full recognition and grateful tribute to the athletes of New York State
who have dedicated their purposeful lives to athletic achievement and
proudly represented their great State and Nation in international sports
competition; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to congratu-
late Erin Hamlin upon the occasion of winning the 2009 Women's Singles
Luge World Championship; this outstanding athletic performance was
achieved on February 6, 2009, at the Mount Van Hoevenberg luge run in
Lake Placid, New York; and
WHEREAS, Erin Hamlin, a 22-year-old native of Remsen, New York, put
together two first-place, track record runs, totaling one minute, 28.098
seconds, to win the Women's Singles Luge World Championship; it further
paves her way on the road to the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver; and
WHEREAS, With her astounding victory, Erin Hamlin became the first
non-German to win a women's luge world championship since 1993, and only
the second American to ever win a medal in luging; prior to her victory,
no American woman had medaled in the World Championships or the Olympics
since modern women's luge competition began in the mid-1950s; and
WHEREAS, The superlative athletic achievement of Erin Hamlin in
capturing first place in the 2009 Women's Singles Luge World Champion-
ship ranks alongside of the famous United States "Miracle on Ice" at the
1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid; and
WHEREAS, Erin Hamlin learned to slide at the Mount Van Hoevenberg luge
run in Lake Placid as a teenager; she climbed the ranks of junior compe-
tition and unexpectedly raced her way onto the 2006 United States Olym-
pic team competing in Torino, Italy, finishing 12th; and
WHEREAS, A two-time Verizon United States Junior Women's Singles
National Champion, previously Erin Hamlin was on the Bronze Medal
winning Junior World Championship luge team; she is the 2008 Verizon
Women's United States National Champion in the luge; and
WHEREAS, Erin Hamlin's Luge World Championship was witnessed by her
parents, Ron and Eileen Hamlin, and her brothers, Ryan and Sean, as well
as by other members of her family, and dozens of Remsen residents; and
WHEREAS, A role model for all, Erin Hamlin is a talented, dedicated
athlete who has brought honor to her family, her coaches, and her commu-
nity of friends who have encouraged her progress and commended her hard
work; and
WHEREAS, A gifted athlete, Erin Hamlin's character and achievements
stand as a sterling example and inspiration to all who would aspire to
such extraordinary success; and
WHEREAS, Many will only dream of competing in international sports
competition; this young gifted athlete from the great State of New York,
through her hard work and tenacious spirit, has made that vision a real-
ity, and has proudly represented her country, in competition among the
world's finest athletes, an honor that gives just cause for her family,

community and State to be exceedingly proud of her achievements; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Erin Hamlin upon the occasion of winning the 2009 Women's
Singles Luge World Championship, and extend its heartfelt congratu-
lations on her athletic achievements, and wish her continued success;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Erin Hamlin, Remsen, New York.