Every year I’ve been in the Legislature, I’ve been proud to introduce a House Resolution honoring the greatest athlete of the 20th Century – Jim Thorpe. Thorpe was given every athletic gift God could bestow, but it wasn't his physical prowess that made him the legend he is today, it was his character.

Jim Thorpe's integrity and indomitable spirit allowed him to excel and inspire in the face of adversity.

The sports world was a much different place when Jim Thorpe was at his peak than it is today.

Back then, local residents would work 12 hours a day, six days a week in the mines. Then, they'd kick back and relax – by playing smash-mouth football. You had world champions coming from small towns like Pottsville.

Imagine an athlete today who had this resume:

• Named an All-American college football player
• Was the star on a pro football team that won three world championships in four years.
• Batted .327 in the major leagues
  
• Won two gold medals in the toughest Olympic track and field sports

If Jim Thorpe were an athlete today every kid in America would want a jersey with “THORPE” on the back.

If he were an athlete today his Olympic Gold Medals would be around his neck where they belong, since today professional athletes are encouraged to represent their country.

It’s probably safe to say that we wouldn’t see a single commercial for Gatorade or Nike or countless other products that wouldn’t feature Jim Thorpe.

But there was more to Thorpe that just his achievements on the field – we’re also honoring him for his courage and perseverance in the face of a world that looked down on his people.

Here in Carbon County we honor him as an inspiration for young student-athletes—the Jim Thorpe Area High School Olympians—and as an inspiration for a town that has reinvented itself as a tourist destination and proudly taken his name. Even though Thorpe never visited Carbon County before his death, his spirit and his dedication are present everywhere in our community—through the people who live and work here today.

The resolution passed the House unanimously, and now May 15, 2010 is officially Jim Thorpe Day in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania—a fitting tribute to honor the Bright Path that Jim Thorpe blazed, and the inspiration he offers even today.

As usual, I’d like to close by reminding you that my offices in Lansford, Lehighton and Albrightsville are there to help make state government work harder for you. We can help with everything from driver’s license renewals to PACE prescription forms to just about any issue that impacts you and your family.