HR 375 — A Resolution recognizing October 18, 2026, as "Willie Thrower Day" in Pennsylvania.

PRINTER'S NO.    2664

                  THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



           HOUSE RESOLUTION
              No. 375
                                              Session of
                                                2025

     INTRODUCED BY COOPER, NEILSON, VENKAT AND HADDOCK,
        DECEMBER 1, 2025

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS AND
        OPERATIONS, DECEMBER 3, 2025


                               A RESOLUTION
 1   Recognizing October 18, 2025, as "Willie Thrower Day" in
 2      Pennsylvania.
 3      WHEREAS, Willie Lee Thrower, Sr., was born March 22, 1930, in
 4   New Kensington; and
 5      WHEREAS, On October 18, 1953, Willie Thrower became the first
 6   African-American quarterback to take a snap in modern National
 7   Football League history while playing for the Chicago Bears; and
 8      WHEREAS, Willie Thrower was a part of the 1952 Michigan State
 9   Spartans that won the national championship; and
10      WHEREAS, In 1979, Willie Thrower was elected to the
11   Westmoreland County Sports Hall of Fame, in 1981, he was
12   inducted into the AK Valley Hall of Fame and, in 2011, he was
13   inducted into the WPIAL Hall of Fame; and
14      WHEREAS, In 2003, the Willie Thrower Historical Marker was
15   erected on the road that runs past the high school he attended
16   in New Kensington; and
17      WHEREAS, In 2006, a statue of Willie Thrower was erected near
 1   Valley High School in New Kensington to honor his
 2   accomplishments; and
 3         WHEREAS, In 2021, the Willie Thrower Award Foundation debuted
 4   an award for the top quarterback in the WPIAL and City League;
 5   and
 6         WHEREAS, October 18, 2023, was designated Willie Thrower
 7   Community Day in New Kensington, as part of a four-day
 8   celebration of the 70th anniversary of Thrower's play for the
 9   Chicago Bears; therefore be it
10         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize
11   October 18, 2025, as "Willie Thrower Day" in Pennsylvania.




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