LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Jack Bean upon the occasion of being
inducted into the Rome Sports Hall of Fame on July 31, 2011

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay
tribute to those exemplary athletes, coaches, and administrators who
have distinguished themselves and their schools through outstanding
commitment, attaining unprecedented success and the highest level of
personal achievement; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Jack
Bean upon the occasion of being inducted into the Rome Sports Hall of
Fame to be celebrated at its 35th Annual Induction and Awards Dinner at
the Beeches, on Sunday, July 31, 2011; and
WHEREAS, A successful gymnast in his own right during his days as a
schoolboy in Warren, Pennsylvania, Jack Bean captured state champion-
ships in tumbling as well as on the parallel bars; and
WHEREAS, After high school, Jack Bean joined the United States Navy;
upon the completion of his service time, he enrolled at Syracuse Univer-
sity and was a member of its first-ever gymnastics team, which went on
to win the Eastern Intercollegiate Gymnastics League team title; and
WHEREAS, Prior to Jack Bean's arrival at the Rome Free Academy in
1958, there was no existing boys gymnastics program; under his luminous
leadership, the program became one of the best in New York State,
winning back-to-back Section III Championships; and
WHEREAS, Jack Bean came to Rome, and was able to build Rome Free Acad-
emy's boys gymnastics program into a top contender; he started the
program in 1958, and retired from coaching 20 years later as the
program's only coach; and
WHEREAS, Jack Bean's teams produced many champion gymnasts, including
his two sons, Jonathan and Jeff; he has been the recipient of numerous
coaching and service awards and was named the coach of the Section III
team which in 1974, won the State Championship; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Jack Bean upon the occasion of being inducted into the Rome Sports
Hall of Fame; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Jack Bean's wife, Gloria Bean, Rome, New York.