2013 -- H 6046

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LC02399

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2013

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H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N

CONGRATULATING RHODE ISLAND NATIVE AND UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE

BASKETBALL PLAYER MIKE MARRA FOR HIS OUTSTANDING BASKETBALL

CAREER AND ON BEING AN INTEGRAL PART OF LOUISVILLE'S 2012-2013

CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON IN NCAA MEN'S BASKETBALL

     Introduced By: Representatives Winfield, Costantino, Newberry, O'Brien, and O`Neill

     Date Introduced: April 25, 2013

     Referred To: House read and passed

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     WHEREAS, Mike Marra is a Rhode Island and Smithfield native and one of two sons,

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along with Robert, born to Bonnie Greenlaw-Marra and Anthony Marra. At an early age, he

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exhibited a passion for the game of basketball and a work ethic second to none. He became

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known in amateur basketball circles across the country due to his outstanding play with St.

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Michael’s CYO team, for Coach Joe Bennett on the Smithfield Boys Basketball Team, and with

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the Rhode Island Hawks AAU team. He was a 1st team All-State selection as a Junior and his

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shooting form was so good that legendary basketball coach Rick Pitino said that in all of his years

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working and following basketball, Mike Marra was the best shooter he had ever seen; and

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     WHEREAS, Mike was pursued by numerous colleges and universities, including Notre

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Dame, Providence College, the University of Rhode Island, and the University of Massachusetts,

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but he chose to sign with the University of Louisville and play for coach Rick Pitino; and

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     WHEREAS, After seeing action in twenty-seven games as a freshman, Mike broke out in

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his sophomore season and was universally recognized as a rising star in the game of college

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basketball. He was a double figure scorer in eleven games and hit 45 three pointers in 31 games;

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and

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     WHEREAS, Unfortunately, Mike hurt his knee in each of the last two seasons, with both

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injuries making him unable to continue playing basketball with his team. However, according to

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Coach Pitino, Mike is not only a talented player, but he’s also a respected presence on the team in

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the locker room and has an astute feel for the game. As a result, Coach Pitino made Mike this

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season a “player-coach” after his latest knee injury. Mike charted deflections and turnovers for

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each game, kept a “shot chart” for all shots taken in a game by Louisville and the opposition, and

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was relied upon by Pitino to keep the coaching staff updated on the daily “temperature of the

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team.” As he has done with every endeavor in his life, Mike poured his heart and soul into his

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new responsibilities and was an integral part of Louisville’s championship season; now, therefore

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be it

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     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

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Providence Plantations hereby congratulates Mike Marra on the conclusion of his outstanding

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basketball playing career and for his role in helping Louisville to win the 2012-2013 men’s

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college basketball championship. We wish him continued success in all future endeavors; and be

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it further

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     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

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transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Mike Marra.

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LC02399

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