A house RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR JOEY LANCE, DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION FOR THE CITY OF BELTON, AND TO COMMEND HIM FOR HIS SUCCESSFUL EFFORTS TO PROMOTE SPORTS TOURISM IN ANDERSON COUNTY.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are pleased to learn that Joey Lance has worked diligently to promote sports tourism in Anderson County, a major source of revenue for the State; and

Whereas, starting in 2018, Mr. Lance began working to secure the state tournaments for the Dixie Youth D1 and D2 coach pitch for ages eight and under at the Anderson Sports and Entertainment Complex, as well as the Dixie Youth World Series D2 AAA for ages ten and under, D2 Majors for ages twelve and under, and D2 "O" Zone for twelve and under; and

Whereas, the 2022 Dixie Youth World Series consisted of twenty-nine teams from eleven different states with a total of four hundred six players and coaches. The Dixie Youth state tournaments consisted of twenty-four teams from the Upstate, Midlands, and Coastal regions of South Carolina with a total of three hundred seventy-two players and coaches; and

Whereas, five years after Mr. Lance had begun his efforts, the Dixie Youth state tournaments came to Anderson July 8-July 12, 2022, and the World Series came to Anderson County July 28-August 3, 2022. Visitors to our State booked every hotel from Lavonia, Georgia, to Exit 40 in Anderson County and put five million dollars into the economy in Anderson County for these two events; and

Whereas, the Dixie Youth state tournaments and World Series also gave visitors to our beautiful State the opportunity to picture South Carolina as a vacation destination for their future travels; and

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives values the dedication and hard work of Joey Lance on behalf of Anderson County, and the members look forward to hearing of his continued achievements on behalf of the Anderson community in the days ahead. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor Joey Lance, director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Belton, and commend him for his successful efforts to promote sports tourism in Anderson County.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Joey Lance.

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