LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring the John Pepper Memorial Committee upon
the occasion of hosting its 10th Annual John Pepper Memorial Lacrosse
Tournament

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize those
organizations within our midst, which have demonstrated consistent
excellence while bringing great pride to the citizens of our great
State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, it is the intent of this Legislative Body to honor
the John Pepper Memorial Committee upon the occasion of hosting its 10th
Annual John Pepper Memorial Lacrosse Tournament; and
WHEREAS, The John Pepper Memorial Lacrosse Tournament memorializes the
life of John Pepper, a young West Genesee High School student who lost
his life on August 30, 2001, in a tragic automobile accident just prior
to his junior year of high school; and
WHEREAS, John Pepper was a member of the West Genesee High School
Junior Varsity Lacrosse Team, a group whose excellence in the sport is
considered by many to be the pinnacle of success in the entire lacrosse
community; and
WHEREAS, The year following this tragic accident, friends of the
Pepper family founded the John Pepper Memorial Committee; and
WHEREAS, The John Pepper Memorial Committee created a youth lacrosse
tournament for age 14 and under, "The John Pepper Memorial Lacrosse
Tournament," in memory of John; and
WHEREAS, The dream of the John Pepper Memorial Committee was to honor
the late John Pepper and create a tournament that would showcase the
game of lacrosse, but the success of the tournament greatly exceeded the
expectations of the Committee; and
WHEREAS, Two years after the first John Pepper Memorial Lacrosse Tour-
nament, the John Pepper Memorial Committee developed another tournament,
the "John Pepper Wildcat Invitational," specifically for varsity high
school teams; and
WHEREAS, Annually, teams from the Upstate New York area and select
varsity level teams from across the United States are invited to play in
the John Pepper Wildcat Invitational, a festival-style tournament; and
WHEREAS, Today, the success of both the John Pepper Wildcat Invita-
tional and the John Pepper Memorial Lacrosse Tournament annually attract
over 75 college coaches from all levels of collegiate lacrosse to
recruit potential players; and
WHEREAS, In addition to lacrosse games, the John Pepper Wildcat Invi-
tational and the John Pepper Memorial Lacrosse Tournament feature a
mid-day break featuring special speakers and clinics to further educate
and enhance the skills of the young lacrosse players of tomorrow; and
WHEREAS, The John Pepper Wildcat Invitational and the John Pepper
Memorial Lacrosse Tournaments benefit the West Genesee lacrosse program
and are dedicated to the "Creator's Gift" of lacrosse and to John Pepper
and the enjoyment that lacrosse gave to him; and
WHEREAS, The missions of the John Pepper Wildcat Invitational and the
John Pepper Memorial Lacrosse Tournaments are to bring together
athletes, officials, parents and fans to enjoy the game of lacrosse; the
highest priorities being sportsmanship, respect of the game and camarad-
erie of all involved; and
WHEREAS, The John Pepper Wildcat Invitational and the John Pepper
Memorial Lacrosse Tournaments exemplify these goals and as a result,
these tournaments continue to be the caliber of premier lacrosse tourna-
ments of the summer tournament season; and

WHEREAS, Both the John Pepper Wildcat Invitational and the John Pepper
Memorial Lacrosse Tournament are highly praised by all who attend -
players, coaches, referees and fans; and
WHEREAS, July 30-31, 2011, represent the 10th Annual John Pepper Memo-
rial Tournament, and the 8th Annual John Pepper Wildcat Invitational,
respectively; and
WHEREAS, The John Pepper Memorial Lacrosse Tournament has striven to
be and delivered one of the very best lacrosse tournaments, not only in
the area, but in the entire country; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the life of John Pepper and honor the John Pepper Memorial
Tournament on its 10th Anniversary; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the John Pepper Memorial Committee.