MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1998 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Tollison, Ferris, Horhn, Carlton, Bean, Burton, Frazier

Senate Concurrent Resolution 533

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING WILLIAM R. "BILL" FERRIS OF OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI, UPON HIS CONFIRMATION AS CHAIRMAN OF THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES. 

WHEREAS, William R. "Bill" Ferris is a native of Vicksburg, Mississippi, and resident of Oxford, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, William R. "Bill" Ferris has been unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate as Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities, the federal agency that promotes understanding of human history and cultural achievements; and

WHEREAS, William R. "Bill" Ferris has served as head of the Center for the Study of Southern Culture at the University of Mississippi since 1979; and

WHEREAS, under the leadership of William R. "Bill" Ferris, the Center for the Study of Southern Culture has gained international recognition for its conferences on famous Mississippians like William Faulkner and Elvis Presley; and

WHEREAS, many of the humanities projects directed by William R. "Bill" Ferris were National Endowment for the Humanities and Mississippi Humanities Council funded programs that introduced thousands of visitors to the State of Mississippi and reminded the citizens of Mississippi of their unique history and civic responsibility thus improving the quality of life for all citizens; and

WHEREAS, William R. "Bill" Ferris has written more than ten books on topics related to Southern folklore, including having served as co-editor of the Encyclopedia of Southern Culture:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend William R. "Bill" Ferris for his work promoting humanities programming and on his appointment and confirmation as Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That we commend the Congressional Delegation of the State of Mississippi, United States Senator Thad Cochran, United States Senator Trent Lott, United States Congressman Roger Wicker, United States Congressman Bennie Thompson, United States Congressman Charles Pickering, Jr., United States Congressman Mike Parker, and United States Congressman Gene Taylor for their continued support of programs like the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Mississippi Humanities Council, that benefit all Mississippians.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be presented to Bill Ferris, forwarded to Mississippi's congressional delegation and be made available to members of the Capitol Press Corps.