MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2004 3rd Extraordinary Session
To: Rules
By: Representative Mayo, Akins, Aldridge, Arinder, Bailey, Baker (74th), Baker (8th), Banks, Barnett, Beckett, Bentz, Blackmon, Bondurant, Bounds, Broomfield, Brown, Buck, Burnett, Calhoun, Capps, Carlton, Chism, Clark, Clarke, Coleman (29th), Coleman (65th), Compretta, Cummings, Davis, Dedeaux, Denny, Dickson, Eaton, Ellington, Ellis, Espy, Evans, Fillingane, Flaggs, Fleming, Formby, Franks, Fredericks, Frierson, Gadd, Gibbs, Green, Gregory, Guice, Gunn, Hamilton (109th), Hamilton (6th), Harrison, Hines, Holland, Holloway, Horne, Howell, Huddleston, Hudson, Ishee, Janus, Jennings, Johnson, Lott, Malone, Markham, Martinson, Masterson, Mayhall, McBride, McCoy, Middleton, Miles, Mims, Moak, Montgomery, Moore, Morris, Moss, Myers, Nicholson, Parker, Patterson, Peranich, Perkins, Pierce, Read, Reed, Reeves, Reynolds, Robinson (63rd), Robinson (84th), Rogers (14th), Rogers (61st), Rotenberry, Scott, Shows, Simpson, Smith (27th), Smith (39th), Smith (59th), Snowden, Staples, Stevens, Straughter, Stringer, Sullivan, Taylor, Thomas, Turner, Upshaw, Vince, Ward, Warren, Watson, Weathersby, Wells-Smith, Whittington, Woods, Young, Zuber
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE OF WILLIAM MOORE TOWNSEND AND EXTENDING OUR SYMPATHY ON HIS PASSING.
WHEREAS, William Moore Townsend was born on October 3, 1984, in Clarksdale, Mississippi, as a blessing to his family and departed this world on August 27, 2004, as a hero to many; and
WHEREAS, William was a 2003 graduate of Lee Academy where he ranked 11th out of 62 graduates with a 4.0 grade point average; and
WHEREAS, not only was William an intelligent student, he was an active member of the First United Methodist Church Youth Group, Key Club, National Honor Society, Quill and Scroll, Odyssey of the Mind, Mock Trial Team and Lee's Math Competition; and
WHEREAS, William's intelligence and wonderful social skills were always complemented by his astute leadership abilities while serving as president of the National Junior Honor Society, vice president of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, football manager, and winning the award as Best Attorney in a mock trial competition; and
WHEREAS, William received a number of honors throughout his life, such as the Hugh O'Brien Youth Leadership Conference, the Rotary Youth Leadership Conference, American Legion Boys State, Exchange Club Student of the Month, Lee Academy Hall of Fame, Who's Who Among American High School Students, American Legion Good Citizenship Award, and Clarksdale Rotary Club Chester Curtis Award; and
WHEREAS, William was a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and received the Peery Accounting Scholarship while he was a student at the University of Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, on the day of William's heroic departure from this life, he ran through his burning fraternity house to awaken his fraternity brothers so that they could escape harm and, with complete disregard for his own life and safety, rushed back into the house to save the life of a friend; and
WHEREAS, William's heroic efforts will forever remain in the minds of those he saved; and
WHEREAS, his unselfish example of courage and compassion for his fellowman were above and beyond the call of duty; and
WHEREAS, to cherish his memory, he leaves his parents, James and Vida Townsend of Clarksdale, sister, Ellen Townsend, and grandmother, Rose Townsend:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we commend the life of a hero in William Moore Townsend and extend our sympathy on his passing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family and friends of William Moore Townsend, the University of Mississippi, and members of the Capitol Press Corps.