LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 100th Anniversary of Sporting
Club GJOA, in Brooklyn, New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
those individuals and organizations that devote their energy, resources
and thoughtful care to improving the quality and character of life in
their communities; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the
100th Anniversary of Sporting Club GJOA, in Brooklyn, New York, to be
celebrated at its Dinner Dance on Saturday, April 9, 2011; and
WHEREAS, During this event, the Sporting Club GJOA will honor its
founding members into the GJOA Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, In 1911, members of the Norwegian Seamen's Association organ-
ized a sporting club; from the Scandinavian-American Athletic League in
the early years, to the Cosmopolitan Junior Leagues today, GJOA members
have excelled individually as well; their names can be found in the
lists of National Soccer Hall of Fame members and of Herman Trophy
winners; and
WHEREAS, Proud as the club is of the team that was three-time National
Soccer League champions in the early 1960s, the 1931 tour of Norway
holds a special place in club history; in 60 days, and playing against
most of Norway's best teams, the boys from Brooklyn won 16 games, drew
7, and lost only 6; and
WHEREAS, An echo of that particular 1931 trip has been heard numerous
times as GJOA youth teams have traveled to Norway, Minnesota and many
tournaments throughout the Northeast; as important as the results of the
games was the fostering of friendship through sport, and the lesson that
soccer is indeed the game around the world; and
WHEREAS, Soccer's future depends on solid youth programs; at GJOA, the
volunteer staff not only supports both the boys and girls youth teams
from U-8 through U-19, but also organizes and operates a soccer and
softball team for adults; and
WHEREAS, The members of the Sporting Club GJOA sponsor many activities
through the organization; this season it will have over 20 youth soccer
teams, an Over-30 men's soccer team, and a number of dart teams; in
addition, it has an active Ladies Club which actively supports the
Nation's troops through their good works for the military families
stationed at Fort Hamilton Army Base; and
WHEREAS, Ably led by Club President Craig Svendsen, Sporting Club GJOA
continues to prosper today and into the future; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proudly moved to honor and commend
the members of the Sporting Club GJOA, past and present, who have
labored so conscientiously to secure and improve the quality of life for
the community it serves; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Sporting Club GJOA, in Brooklyn,
New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Club President Craig Svendsen, Sporting Club GJOA.