LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating the Yonkers Gladiators Junior
Midgets Football Team and Head Coach Ralph McKenly upon the occasion of
capturing the United Youth Tackle League National Championship

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, The Yonkers Gladiators Junior Midgets Football Team are the
United Youth Tackle League National Champions; during the championship
game at Hillsborough Community College in Plant City, Florida, they
defeated the Brooklyn Renegades by a 20-0 score; and
WHEREAS, The semi-final game that advanced the Gladiators to the cham-
pionship was a 31-6 victory over Buffalo, once again touting the
nation's toughest defense while scoring a combined 51 total points in
two games; and
WHEREAS, The athletic talent displayed by this team is due in great
part to the efforts of Head Coach Ralph McKenly, a skilled and inspira-
tional tutor, respected for his ability to develop potential into excel-
lence; and
WHEREAS, The team's overall record is outstanding, and the team
members were loyally and enthusiastically supported by family, fans,
friends and the community at large; and
WHEREAS, The hallmarks of the Yonkers Gladiators Junior Midgets Foot-
ball Team, from the opening game of the season to participation in the
championship, were a brotherhood of athletic ability, of good sportsman-
ship, of honor and of scholarship, demonstrating that these team players
are second to none; and
WHEREAS, Athletically, the team members have proven themselves to be
an unbeatable combination of talents, reflecting favorably on their
community; and
WHEREAS, Head Coach Ralph McKenly has done a superb job in guiding,
molding and inspiring the team members toward their goals; and
WHEREAS, Sports competition instills the values of teamwork, pride and
accomplishment, and Head Coach Ralph McKenly and these outstanding
athletes have clearly made a contribution to the spirit of excellence
which is a tradition of their community; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate the Yonkers Gladiators Junior Midgets Football Team; its
members: Gavin Heslop, Malik Madhi, Terrell Morrison, Rasheed Nathan,
Deondre Pressley, Maliq Rideau, Steve Bednar, Paul Delgado, Olvin Domin-
quez, Julian Hendrickson, Tajay Howard, William Johnson, Noah Lawrence,
Levert Miller, Yemisi Oyelakin, Diamonte Powell, Noah Quintanilla,
Stephone Vick, and Deanthone Washington, and Coaches Ralph McKenly,
Michael Bailey, Garfield Heslop, and Masai Ali on their outstanding
season and overall team record; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Yonkers Gladiators Junior Midgets Football Team and to
the aforementioned coaches.