House Concurrent Resolution 63

(As Adopted by House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING MR. CHARLES I. BRADLEY UPON HIS RETIREMENT FROM JIM HILL HIGH SCHOOL AS BAND DIRECTOR AFTER 30 YEARS OF TEACHING IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.

WHEREAS, Mr. Charles I. Bradley has faithfully served as a band director since 1977 and is retiring after 30 years of dedicated service; and

WHEREAS, a staunch believer in education, Mr. Bradley graduated from North Natchez High School in 1972 and then received a bachelor of arts degree in music in 1976 and a master in music education in 1977 from Jackson State University; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Bradley began his career of band directing at Indianola Middle School in 1972 where he worked for four years and helped students develop beginner skills on musical instruments; and

WHEREAS, in 1981, Mr. Bradley began serving as band director at Siwell Middle School and faithfully served in that capacity until 1992; and

WHEREAS, in 1992, Mr. Bradley began serving as band director for Jim Hill High School's "Band of Distinction," a position that he currently holds and where he helps students critique their knowledge and skills of their instruments and has helped the band's membership increase from 60 members to over 200 members; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Bradley, while at Jim Hill, has led the band to receive great honors such as superior ratings in the Mississippi High School Band Competition in 2000, 2001, 2003 and 2005; and

WHEREAS, in addition to receiving superior ratings, Jim Hill High School Band, under the capable leadership of Mr. Bradley, has received many other superior awards at the following events: Mississippi High School Athletic Association, 29th Annual Copiah Marching Band Festival, West Alabama Marching Band Festival and the Mississippi Regional State Marching Band Competition; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Bradley has also had the "Band of Distinction" participate in various community service projects such as the following: Martin Luther King, Jr., Parade in St. Petersburg, Florida; Jackson State University's Homecoming Parade; Jackson's Annual Christmas Parade; Hudspeth Regional Center's Annual Christmas Parade; Hattiesburg Black History Parade and the Veteran's Day Parade in Birmingham, Alabama; and

WHEREAS, as a testament to his dedication to teaching young people about music, Mr. Bradley received the Gold Apple Award in 1988 and the Executive Training Program Award in 1989 from the Jackson Public School District; and

WHEREAS, in addition to serving as an award-winning band director, Mr. Bradley also serves as Pastor of Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church, a position he has held since 1993; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend the excellence of an individual such as Mr. Charles I. Bradley who has been a superb band director and an excellent and positive role model for his students and the community at large:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Mr. Charles I. Bradley upon his retirement as the faithful and dedicated band director of Jim Hill High School and extend heartiest wishes for continued success in all of his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mr. Charles I. Bradley, Jim Hill High School and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.