SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 5

(By Senators Hunter, Prezioso, Sharpe, Plymale, Minard, Ross, Redd, Helmick, Jackson, Kessler, Chafin, Edgell, Oliverio, Dittmar, McKenzie, Sprouse, Anderson, Walker, Bailey, McCabe, Unger, Boley, Dawson, Mitchell, Minear, Deem, Snyder and Tomblin, Mr. President)

Commemorating Pro Football Hall of Fame member Frank Gatski, a native West Virginian, for his outstanding accomplishments during his pro football career.

Whereas, Frank Gatski, a native of Farmington, was born March 18, 1923, the son of a coal miner; and
Whereas, During his high school years, Frank Gatski played football as a center and never missed a practice or a game; and
Whereas, Following his graduation from high school, Frank Gatski worked in the coal mines of West Virginia; and
Whereas, Frank Gatski was offered a test with the Marshall College football team which he passed. While at Marshall College, he was nicknamed "Gunner" and was known as a man of action, not words; and
Whereas, Frank Gatski left West Virginia to serve his nation with pride and distinction in Europe during World War II. He returned in 1945 to play football at Auburn University; and
Whereas, In 1946, Frank Gatski was offered a contract to play for the Cleveland Browns in the newly formed All-American Football Conference. The competition was rugged, but rookie Gatski survived; and
Whereas, Frank Gatski played for the Cleveland Browns from 1946 to 1949 as an AAFC team member. He continued to play with the Browns from 1950 to 1956 when the team first became a National Football League (NFL) team; and
Whereas, Durability was a major asset to this strong, quiet young man from West Virginia. During his career, Gatski played in eleven championship games in twelve years, a feat unmatched by any other nonkicker in ninety-three years of pro football; and
Whereas, The early years of his career were with the Cleveland Browns, but he capped his career in 1957 while playing with the Detroit Lions when he won his eighth championship ring in Detroit, Michigan; and
Whereas, After his retirement in 1957 from pro football, Frank Gatski returned to West Virginia and coached football for two decades at the West Virginia School for Boys at Pruntytown; and
Whereas, In 1985, nearly three decades after leaving pro football, Frank Gatski was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, a fitting tribute to a native West Virginian who was an unsung hero of pro football. He has also been inducted into the West Virginia Sports Writers Hall of Fame, the Marshall University Hall of Fame and the American Polish Hall of Fame. Additionally, he has been recognized by Sports Illustrated as one of West Virginia's top athletes; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate:
That the Senate hereby commends Frank Gatski on his outstanding career and accomplishments in pro football and for bringing pride and distinction to West Virginia as a favorite son who is now enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to Frank Gatski, distinguished West Virginian and Pro Football Hall of Fame member.