Honoring, recognizing and commending the Philadelphia Taney Dragons, 2014 Mid-Atlantic Little League Champions, for capturing the hearts of fans across the nation during their inspiring journey as the first ever Philadelphia Little League team to make it to the Little League World Series.

WHEREAS, The Taney Dragons are a Little League baseball team from South Philadelphia that was officially chartered into the Little League Baseball Association in 2013; and

WHEREAS, The Taney Dragons, an inner-city team from Philadelphia, won the Pennsylvania Section 8 Championships; and

WHEREAS, The Taney Dragons were the first ever team from Philadelphia to win the Pennsylvania Little League State Championship; and

WHEREAS, The Taney Dragons defied all odds and won the Mid-Atlantic Regional Championship and gained the national spotlight for their historic run to the Little League World Series; and

WHEREAS, The Taney Dragons captured the hearts and minds of Philadelphians and Americans across the nation as they valiantly fought their way to the Little League World Series; and

WHEREAS, The Taney Dragons made it to the semi-final round and emerged as the third best team in the country; and

WHEREAS, The Taney Dragons, knowing that nothing worth having comes easy, practiced during their offseason in an empty warehouse in Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, 13 year old Mo'ne Davis inspired female athletes across the nation as one of only two females in the 2014 Little League World Series and the 18th female in history.

WHEREAS, Mo'ne Davis pitched back to back shutouts in Taney's run at the Little League World Series; and

WHEREAS, The Taney Dragons embraced their diverse backgrounds and remained humble and gracious athletes who worked together toward a common goal; and

WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia saw fit to host a parade in honor of the Taney Dragons upon their return from the Little League World Series; and

WHEREAS, The Taney Dragons have inspired youth in Philadelphia to stay active, healthy, and to pursue their dreams; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby honors, recognizes and commends the Philadelphia Taney Dragons, 2014 Mid-Atlantic Little League Champions for capturing the hearts of fans across the nation during their inspiring journey as the first ever Philadelphia Little League team to make it to the Little League World Series.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the Philadelphia Taney Dragons as evidence of the sincere admiration of the Council of Philadelphia.

End