MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1998 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Burton

A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND COMMENDING "UNCLE BILL" BROWN OF ESSEX, ENGLAND, WHO HAS DEVELOPED A HUGE RADIO LISTENING AUDIENCE IN HIS ADOPTED STATE OF MISSISSIPPI. 

WHEREAS, "Uncle Bill" Brown, an outspoken chicken farmer from Little Clacton, Essex, England, has become a favorite of radio listening audiences over the past several years; and

WHEREAS, the courtship of the English chicken farmer and the listening audience of MS 103 radio station started in February, 1991, when disc jockey Scott Mateer read a newspaper article about an Englishman who was fighting the Royal Air Force over the low flying jets that were causing his prize chickens to lay odd shaped eggs (the Royal Air Force was quite busy with air traffic because of the Persian Gulf war), and Scott along with a very large listening audience fell in love with "Uncle Bill", waiting each morning to hear more of his humor; and

WHEREAS, one of the station's sponsors, Jitney Jungle, paid for Uncle Bill and his wife, Joan ("Bossy Boots"), to come to Jackson on March 25, 1991, and they arrived to an overflow crowd, and since 1991, he has been back to Mississippi two times where he is treated like a movie star; and

WHEREAS, Uncle Bill and Joan have received 7,221 letters and cards from Mississippians, and have stated that they are part of the Mississippi family and love and treasure their friendships with our citizens; and

WHEREAS, Uncle Bill has appeared on BBC several times, there have been discussions about his having a talk show, "Inside Edition" did a special on him, he is scheduled to lecture at Cambridge University on egg processing and on Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Bill will arrive in Jackson on Tuesday, March 24, 1998, for another goodwill appearance and his trip will be covered by the international press as he pays a visit to the New Capitol; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize and honor this radio personality and ambassador from England who truly loves Mississippi and its people and is an adopted resident of our great state:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby recognize and commend "Uncle Bill" Brown of Essex, England, who has developed a huge radio listening audience in his adopted State of Mississippi, and wish him continued success in his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to "Uncle Bill" Brown and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.