HR1545: HR1545 Cole, Jesse and Emily; Banana Ball and Bananas Foster; commend

26 LC 112 3751 House Resolution 1545 By: Representatives Stephens of the 164 th, Petrea of the 166 th, Jackson of the 165 th, and Hitchens of the 161st 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 n ational5 phenomenon—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"; and9 WHEREAS, using their iconic sports platform, Jesse and Emily Cole, who already serve as10 foster parents, created Bananas Foster; and11 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 and14 H. R. 1545 - 1 - 26 LC 112 3751 WHEREAS, Bananas Foster, the official nonprofit of Banana Ball, selects a "Bananas Foster15 Family" (BFF) for a backstage experience at each Banana Ball game; and16 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 WHEREAS, the State of Georgia has 9,500 children in foster care, and a need for additional20 foster parents clearly exists; and21 WHEREAS, the national attention Jesse and Emily Cole, Banana Ball, and Bananas Foster22 have engineered has allowed a spotlight to be shown on the foster family need in Georgia and23 across the United States.24 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that25 the members of this body honor Jesse and Emily Cole, Banana Bal l, and Bananas Foster;26 celebrate the achievements and success of their campaign to raise awareness of the need for27 foster care parents; and express their gratitude for the investment and focus on the foster care28 community and the needs of children in Georgia and nationwide.29 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized30 and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to Jesse31 and Emily Cole, Banana Ball, and Bananas Foster.32 H. R. 1545 - 2 -