Showing Shawn our Support

Special thanks to everyone who helped put on last night's "welcome home" celebration for Shawn Johnson. The City was proud be part of the festivities. Take a look at the long list of entities that came together to put this event on with just a few days' planning: Hy-Vee, Adidas, Coca Cola, Global Spectrum, Iowa Events Center, Valley High School students, faculty, and staff, West Des Moines Community Schools, Kids West, the WDM Chamber, the Greater DSM Partnership, the Convention and Visitor's Bureau, the Nadas, the Governor's Office, the Polk County Supervisors, Chow's Gymnastics, WHO-TV 13, Keith Murphy, the Des Moines Register, and our own police department, who provided security for Shawn. It is really not surprising that there are so many people and organizations interested in making sure we give Shawn our support and recognition.

Below is a proclamation the West Des Moines City Council passed Monday in honor of Shawn:

Proclamation

WHEREAS, Shawn Johnson represented the best in American athletes through her performance at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games; and

WHEREAS, Shawn Johnson won Olympic gold with an exceptional performance on the balance beam and won three Olympic silver medals in equally outstanding performances during the team exercise, floor exercise, and individual all-around competition; and

WHEREAS, Shawn Johnson is one of the most decorated United States gymnasts in Olympic History; and

WHEREAS, Shawn Johnson displayed sportsmanship, maturity, compassion, and poise under pressure far beyond her sixteen years throughout the 2008 Olympic proceedings; and

WHEREAS, Shawn Johnson captured the hearts and minds of Iowans, Americans, and people worldwide, cementing her status as a role model and an incredible representative of our country; and

WHEREAS, Shawn Johnson’s tremendous athletic accomplishment and endearing grace during competition generated remarkable pride and respect from the residents of her hometown, her classmates, and the officials of West Des Moines;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST DES MOINES, IOWA, THAT SHAWN JOHNSON HONORED HER CITY, HER SCHOOL, HER STATE, HER COUNTRY, HER FAMILY, HER COACHES, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY—HERSELF—THROUGH A STUNNING OLYMPIC PERFORMANCE AND UNWAVERING POSITIVE ATTITUDE TOWARD HER TEAMMATES, THE COMPETITION, AND THE OLYMPIC EXPERIENCE.