LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Ryan Miller upon the occasion of his
designation as the Most Valuable Player of the Olympic Hockey Tournament
at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to extend its full
recognition and grateful tribute to the outstanding athletes of New York
State who have dedicated their purposeful lives to athletic achievement
and proudly represented their great State and Nation in Olympic competi-
tion; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to join the community
of Buffalo, New York, in honoring a young man of great skill, personal
courage and unparalleled dedication, whose character and athletic
achievements are world-renowned and personify the highest ideals of the
American spirit and Olympic competition; and
WHEREAS, Born July 17, 1980, in East Lansing, Michigan, Ryan Miller of
the Buffalo Sabres in the National Hockey League grew up in East Lans-
ing, Michigan, and graduated from East Lansing High School and Michigan
State University; and
WHEREAS, As a college player for the Michigan State University Spar-
tans, Ryan Miller set an NCAA record with 26 career shutouts and was the
winner of the Hobey Baker Award in 2001; he is only the second Spartan
in history to win the Hobey Baker Award; and
WHEREAS, At Michigan State, Ryan Miller was the CCHA's Goaltender of
the Year all three of his seasons, and twice was the league's overall
Most Valuable Player when he led the country in wins, winning percent-
age, save percentage, goals-against average and shutouts; he was also
the 2001 Big Ten-Jesse Owens Men's Athlete of the Year; and
WHEREAS, Ryan Miller was selected as starting goalie for the United
States of America in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver; although the
United States team was not a medal favorite, he led the team to a
perfect 5-0 start, including a 5-3 win over gold-medal favorite Canada
in the preliminary round, where he rendered a stellar performance in
stopping 42 of 45 shots; and
WHEREAS, The five wins in the 2010 Olympic ice hockey competition,
including victories over Switzerland and Finland in the quarterfinals
and semifinals respectively, brought the Miller led United States team
to the gold medal game, where they faced the favored Canadian team for
the second time; the United States lost the gold medal game by a score
of 3-2 in overtime despite Miller's brilliant 36 saves; and
WHEREAS, Ryan Miller's United States Olympic hockey team won the
silver medal, and he was named the Most Valuable Player of the tourna-
ment, with a save percentage of .946, and an American Olympic record
goals-against average of 1.35; along with being honored as the MVP, he
won IIHF best goaltender honors and was named to the Olympic All-Star
team; and
WHEREAS, Many will only dream of competing in the Olympic Games; this
gifted athlete from this great Empire State, through hard work and a
tenacious spirit, has made that vision a reality; he has proudly repres-
ented his country in competition among the world's finest athletes, an
honor that gives just cause for his family, community and State to be
exceedingly proud of his athletic achievements; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations with
praise and pride to honor Ryan Miller upon the occasion of his desig-
nation as the Most Valuable Player of the Olympic Hockey Tournament at
the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver, British Columbia; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Ryan Miller.