MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2014 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Ward, Butler (38th), Fillingane, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Lee

Senate Concurrent Resolution 599

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING LOUISVILLE, MISSISSIPPI, RESIDENT REGINALD "REGGIE" PATTERSON AS THE ONLY AMERICAN STUDENT TO BE AWARDED A PRESTIGIOUS 2013-2014 FRENCH GRADUATE WRITING FELLOWSHIP FOR THE MUSÉE DU QUAI BRANLY IN PARIS, FRANCE.

     WHEREAS, Louisville, Mississippi, resident Reginald "Reggie" Patterson is the only American to be awarded a 2013-2014 French Graduate Writing Fellowship from the Musée du Quai Branly in Paris France.  The other two recipients are from the region.  Patterson is a Romance Studies doctoral student at Duke University.  He is the son of Elmetra Patterson and Eddie Littleton; and

     WHEREAS, Reggie was one of hundreds from around the world who applied for this fellowship and was honored that he made the first round as one of the 75 finalists.  He was very excited when he saw on the Internet that he was chosen as No. 1 of the 75 finalists; and

     WHEREAS, Reggie's winning the Quai Branly Fellowship should be an inspiration for all students.  It's surely a dream come true for him.  He has been traveling the world with his gifts for music and languages since 6th grade.  Family support has helped Reggie meet challenges head-on.  He says he owes much of his success to his 94-year-old grandmother, Betsy Ann Eichelberger, who encouraged him to be a trailblazer and accept admissions to Duke University, Durham, North Carolina; and

     WHEREAS, Reggie is the first to receive this Quai Branly fellowship as an Oberlin College/Conservatory undergraduate and Duke University graduate student.  He is also the first to receive this fellowship with a major in Romance Studies.  Most of the previous winners have been Anthropology and Archaeology students.

The highly talented student has received numerous awards, fellowships and scholarships.  However, this latest feat was most competitive and it raises the bar for his career as a professor, researcher and writer; and

     WHEREAS, this award will give him the opportunity to complete his dissertation at the museum with a monthly stipend.  He will be integrated into the activities of the team of the Department of Research and Education with his own office and website.  Reggie will be living there from October 1, 2013 through September 30, 2014.  However, he will return to the United States to receive his Doctorate Degree from Duke University on May 11, 2014; and

     WHEREAS, Reggie is an accomplished Violinist and Violist with a Bachelor's of Music from the Oberlin Conservatory.  His dream is to perform violin concertos by Composer/Violinist, Boulogne Chevalier De Saint Georges while at the Musée du Quai Branly; and

     WHEREAS, Reggie is passionate about teaching the history of this 18th Century Afro Frenchman who was a Composer, Violinist, Fencer, Dancer and Colonel in the French Revolution.  Other than a biography, The Chevalier De Saint Georges Virtuoso of the Sword and the Bow by Gabriel Banat, there is little mention of him in the history books.  He is known as the Black Mozart when in actuality Mozart was more of a student of Saint Georges'.  Reggie performed and lectured in a three-day event at Duke University, "The Knights Blues in honor of Saint Georges," in April 2011.  He presented a mini version of the event at the Berlin Institute of Cultural Diplomacy, Berlin, Germany, in February 2012; and

     WHEREAS, The Musée du Quai Branly is the newest museum in Paris.  It is located in the heart of Paris neighboring the Louvre and the Musée d'Orsay, a few minutes from the Grand and Petit Palais, the Palais de Tokyo and the Musée d'art moderne de la Ville de Paris.  The Musée du Quai Branly has an exceptional location on the banks of the River Seine, at the foot of the Eiffel Tower.  The arts of Africa, Oceania, Asia, and the Americas now form part of the historical and artistic grand tour of the capital with over 3,500 exhibited.  Reggie will experience the Musée du Quai Branly as an innovative cultural institution — museum, educational and research centre, and public living space all in one; and

     WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this outstanding achievement by a young Mississippian who has brought honor to his family, his community and to the State of Mississippi:

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Louisville, Mississippi, resident Reginald "Reggie" Patterson as the only American student to be awarded a prestigious 2013-2014 French Graduate Writing Fellowship from the Musée du Quai Branly in Paris, France, and extend our best wishes to Reggie and his family on the receipt of this high honor.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Reginald Patterson and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.