Senate Resolution 20

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE CAREER OF RENOWNED GOSPEL ARTIST AND GRADUATE OF MISSISSIPPI SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND VIRGINIA LEIGH (GINNY) OWENS AND WELCOMING HER TO MISSISSIPPI ON THE OCCASION OF "GINNY OWENS' HOMECOMING DAY".

WHEREAS, April 7, 2004, has been designated "Ginny Owens' Homecoming Day" at the Mississippi School for the Blind in Jackson, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Virginia Leigh (Ginny) Owens grew up as the oldest of two children in Jackson, Mississippi, started playing the piano when she was two years old, and lost her sight to a congenital eye disease at that time; but for her, music was her hobby, passion and her way of expressing the thoughts and feelings that she could not articulate; and

WHEREAS, Ginny's academic background in high school and college demonstrated her dedication to excellence and her interest in music: Graduated Mississippi School for the Blind, May 1993, Valedictorian; graduated in Top 10 of Senior Class at Murrah High School; Recipient of Annie Denman Citizenship Award (Mississippi Council of the Blind), 1992; selected as one of The Clarion-Ledger's Class All-Star Senior Merit Winners; graduated Belmont University, Nashville, Tennessee, May 1997, with a Bachelor of Music Degree (Cum Laude); and named to Who's Who in American Universities and Colleges, 1996-1997; and

WHEREAS, when Ginny majored in music at Belmont University in Nashville, she had every intention of teaching music after graduation, but instead she was discovered by a record label, and has spent the past several years traveling and performing for adoring fans; and

WHEREAS, her professional achievements to date follow:

First female artist signed to Rocketown Records and sales of more than 500,000 units worldwide; tours include appearances with Michael W. Smith, Chris Rice, Rebecca St. James, Derek Webb and Watermark; her radio singles are: #1 "Free" - Adult Contemporary; #1 "If You Want Me To" - Adult Contemporary; #1 "I Am Nothing" - Inspirational; and #3 "I Am" - Adult Contemporary; she was the featured performer on 2000 Dove Awards live telecast, the featured performer Lilith Fair (Nashville, Tennessee), the featured performer Sundance Film Festival and was interviewed twice on National Public Radio by popular host Liane Hansen; she has performances and interviews on nationally televised talk shows "Live with Regis and Kathie Lee" and the "Ainsley Harriott Show" and an appearance on the CNN "Worldbeat" music program; she was the Microsoft MSN "Live" chat - featured artist on Website Chat; and

WHEREAS, Ginny's awards include the 2001 Dove Award winner for Inspirational Song of the Year for "Blessed"; the 2000 Dove Award winner for New Artist of the Year; and the 2000 Dove Award winner for Best Enhanced CD; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the accomplishments of this young Mississippi artist who has brought honor to her school, her community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the career of renown gospel artist and graduate of Mississippi School for the Blind, Virginia Leigh (Ginny) Owens, and extend to her the best wishes of the Mississippi Senate as we welcome her on the occasion of "Ginny Owens' Homecoming Day" on April 7, 2004.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Ginny Owens and her family, the Superintendent of the Mississippi School for the Blind and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.