LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Auburn High School senior Pat
O'Donovan upon winning his first state title in the 100 backstroke at
the NYSPHSAA Boys Swimming and Diving Championships

WHEREAS, Excellence and success in competitive sports can be achieved
only through strenuous practice, team play and team spirit, nurtured by
dedicated coaching and strategic planning; and
WHEREAS, Athletic competition enhances the moral and physical develop-
ment 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, On Friday, March 6, 2009, Pat O'Donovan won the first state
championship of his storied swim career; he is a three-time Section III
champion in the event and had finished eighth, fifth and fourth in the
state as a freshman, sophomore and junior, respectively; and
WHEREAS, Pat O'Donovan also has sectional titles in the 100 freestyle,
and as the leg of the 200 medley and 400 freestyle relays; he nearly
earned sectional and state championships in the 50 freestyle this year;
and
WHEREAS, Pat O'Donovan broke the Section III record for the third time
in three swims at 49.68 seconds in the state preliminaries, before
coming in at 49.69 to win in the finals; and
WHEREAS, Pat O'Donovan's overall record is outstanding; he was loyally
and enthusiastically supported by family, fans, friends and the communi-
ty at large; and
WHEREAS, Sports competition instills the values of teamwork, pride and
accomplishment and Pat O'Donovan has clearly made a contribution to the
spirit of excellence which is a tradition of his school; now, therefore,
be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Auburn High School senior Pat O'Donovan upon winning his
first state title in the 100 backstroke at the NYSPHSAA Boys Swimming
and Diving Championships; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Pat O'Donovan.