From a press release issued by the AMA, which we’re posting because we can’t remember the last time (if ever) a state government honored any type of motorcycle racer:

CARMICHAEL HONORED BY FLORIDA LEGISLATURE

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — Multi-time AMA Supercross and Motocross Champion Ricky Carmichael has been issued a Tribute by the Florida House of Representatives. The declaration, put forth by Florida’s District 49 Representative Larry Crow, reads as follows:

“A Tribute to Florida’s own Ricky Carmichael

“WHEREAS, Motocross came to the United States from Europe more than 30 years ago and took on a distinctive American style when the first-ever stadium Motocross was held in California in 1972, a race that birthed Supercross, and since then sold-out stadiums have become the norm from coast to coast while television coverage brings these events to avid fans in the comfort of their homes; and

“WHEREAS, 22-year-old Havana resident Ricky Carmichael began racing Motocross in 1984 at the age of five and, within the next 11 years, accumulated 67 amateur championships, a record for the American Motorcyclist Association; and

“WHEREAS, in his first year as a professional racer, Ricky Carmichael was named the AMA Motocross Rookie of the Year and has to his credit the most AMA 125 National titles and the most AMA 250 National race wins in a season and was the first rider to sweep the AMA 125 East Coast Regional Supercross series, winning all eight races; and

“WHEREAS, Ricky Carmichael recently became the fist back-to-back winner of the U.S. Open of Supercross and is the current champion in both the AMA 250 Supercross and Motocross Championships, and his outstanding record is giving rise to speculation that he might well become the greatest talent of all time in Supercross and Motocross, NOW, THEREFORE,

“BE IT REPESCTFULLY PROCLAIMED that Ricky Carmichael is enthusiastically recognized for the outstanding achievements of his career and is wished unlimited success as he faces the challenges of future competitions.”

Carmichael was grateful to be honored by his state’s government.

“It’s humbling to think about Florida honoring me,” said Carmichael, who is the top-ranked rider this season in the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Motocross Championship competition. “I thank Representative Crow for submitting the Tribute. Florida has really become a hotbed of motocross in recent years. A lot of riders are moving here to train. It’s not only a great place to work on my racing skills, but it’s also a great place to live.”