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WHEREAS, every four years, athletes from member countries of the British Commonwealth participate in the Commonwealth Games; and
WHEREAS, prior to the Games, the Queen's Baton is carried through participating countries and is handed back to the Queen at the opening ceremony of the Games which will be held this year in Delhi, India; and
WHEREAS, Pittsburgh area resident, Lindel Hodge, was selected to be the first bearer of the baton during its journey through his native country, the British Virgin Islands; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Hodge was the first athlete from his country to participate in the Commonwealth Games and was a member of the first British Virgin Islands team ever to compete in the Olympics; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Hodge competed in sprinting events in the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, where he also carried his country's flag in the opening ceremony, and the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Hodge has coached several local athletes and served as the head track coach of Woodland Hills High School; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Hodge and his wife, Janice, have two children, Limiel and Zuri.
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh congratulates Mr. Lindel Hodge on the honor of being selected to carry the Queen's Baton prior to the Commonwealth Games and commends him for using his talents to train local athletes in the Pittsburgh area.