SR714: SR714 Cole, Jesse and Emily; honor

26 LC 129 0977 Senate Resolution 714 By: Senators Tillery of the 19th, Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, Watson of the 1st, Mallow of the 2nd, Hickman of the 4th and others A RESOLUTION Honoring and celebrating Jesse and Emily Cole, Banana Ball, and Bananas Foster; and for1 other purposes.2 WHEREAS, the State of Georgia recognizes the extraordinary succ ess and public support3 of the Savannah Bananas and Banana Ball; and 4 WHEREAS, on February 25, 2016, Jesse and Emily Cole created a national phenomenon– 5 establishing The Savannah Bananas; and6 WHEREAS, the Savannah Bananas have sold out every game since 2018, becoming one of7 the great sports success stories and being recognized nationall y as the "Greatest Show In8 Sports"; and 9 WHEREAS, using their iconic sports platform, Jesse and Emily Cole, who already serve as10 foster parents, created Bananas Foster; and 11 WHEREAS, Bananas Foster is a nonprofit dedicated to bringing fa milies together by12 celebrating the foster care community while educating and inspiring others to get involved;13 and 14 S. R. 714 - 1 - 26 LC 129 0977 WHEREAS, Bananas Foster, the official nonprofit of Banana Ball, selects a "Bananas Foster15 Family" (BFF) for a backstage experience at each Banana Ball game; and 16 WHEREAS, due to the iconic presence and platform of the Savannah Bananas, the need for17 foster care parents has been featured and promoted in media such as the Today show, ABC18 News, CBS News, Sports Illustrated, and other national outlets; and19 20 WHEREAS, the State of Georgia has 9,500 children in foster care, and a need for additional21 foster parents clearly exists; and 22 23 WHEREAS, the national attention Jesse and Emily Cole, Banana Ball, and Bananas Foster24 have engineered has allowed a spotlight to be shown on the foster family need in Georgia and25 across the United States. 26 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body27 honor Jesse and Emily Cole, Banana Ball, and Bananas Foster; celebrate the achievements28 and success of their campaign to raise awareness of the need fo r foster care parents; and29 express their gratitude for the investment and focus on the fos ter care community and the30 needs of children in Georgia and nationwide. 31 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed32 to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for dis tribution to Jesse and Emily33 Cole, Banana Ball, and Bananas Foster.34 S. R. 714 - 2 -