HR0285 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0285 LRB101 11674 ALS 58923 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate Leah Hayes on being named 2018 SportsKid of the Year by Sports Illustrated Kids; and

WHEREAS, Leah Hayes began swimming at the age of eight; she won her first state title at age nine in the 50-meter breaststroke; at the age of ten, she set five national age group (NAG) records over two meets; she owns six national age-group records, two of which she set this year; and

WHEREAS, At the Illinois Long Course Age Group Championships, Leah Hayes broke the 200-meter freestyle NAG for ages ten and under by more than a second; a day later, she took the 50 free record; the next week, at the Central Mega Zone 14 & Under Championships, she set marks in the 100-meter freestyle, 50-meter breaststroke, and 200-meter individual medley (IM); the latter record had stood for 13 years; and

WHEREAS, In August, at a USA Swimming Futures Championship, Leah Hayes competed in a field that included 20 and 21-year-old collegiate swimmers, and she won the 200-meter IM; her next goal is the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo; two months after the Games, she will turn 15; and

WHEREAS, Leah Hayes competes with respect; she congratulates each swimmer after a race and gives trophies or ribbons to friends and fellow competitors; and

WHEREAS, There was a time when Leah Hayes was not so confident; when she was six, she began losing her hair and was diagnosed with alopecia universalis; after struggling with its effects for several years, she now embraces her look and uses her success in the pool to spread the message, "Don't let anything hold you back"; and

WHEREAS, Leah Hayes lives in Sugar Grove, where she enjoys spending time with her friends and binge-watching Netflix; she is a devoted patron of Chipotle; her ability to win races makes her a great swimmer; her ability to do it with grace and positivity makes her a great role model; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Leah Hayes on being named 2018 SportsKid of the Year by Sports Illustrated Kids and wish her success in all of her future endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Leah Hayes as an expression of our esteem and respect.