House Concurrent Resolution 74

(As Adopted by House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND COMMENDING REPRESENTATIVE RAY ROGERS UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS 55TH ANNIVERSARY AND RETIREMENT AS THE "VOICE OF THE PIRATES" FOR THE PEARL HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TEAM.

WHEREAS, State Representative Ray Rogers, who served as the Public Address Announcer at Pearl High School football games for 55 years, stepped down as the "Voice of the Pirates" at the end of the 2018 football season; and

WHEREAS, because of his superb stature and distinctive voice, Representative Rogers began his illustrious career as Pearl's Public Address Announcer in 1964, and for the past 55 years, thousands of players, band members and fans in the stands have heard the "Voice of the Pirates" describe the extraordinary action of the Pearl High School Football Team; and

WHEREAS, as the namesake of Ray Rogers Stadium on the campus of Pearl High School, Representative Rogers' connection to Pearl High School and its football program are deep-rooted, as he not only was the Pirates' first quarterback and captain of the football team, but he also met his loving wife of 64 years, Shirley, while he was a high school student; and

WHEREAS, the Pirates' first football season began in 1949, with Representative Rogers calling for the first snap in Pearl history during a 20-0 win over Bentonia, and as an all-around outstanding athlete, he was selected to the All-State Team his senior year when the Pirates went 6-3; and

WHEREAS, Representative Rogers was also a star on the red, dusty diamond, as he played minor league baseball for six years in the old Cotton States League and semi-pro baseball for eight years, and in 1985, he was inducted into the Mississippi Semi-Pro Baseball Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, as the memorable "Voice of the Pirates," Representative Rogers has been dedicated to the history and spirit of Pearl High School since his days as a student and football player, and he has not missed one game in 35 years, and only missed one-half of a home game and one away game in 50 years, including the day of his daughter's wedding, during which he attended the game in spirit as he wore earphones to keep up with the progress of Pearl's game against Meridian High School; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to pay tribute and cherish the legacy of outstanding members of the Mississippi Legislature, especially those such as Representative Ray Rogers, whose devotion to his community and to Pearl High School brings honor to the State of Mississippi:

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 Representative Ray Rogers on the occasion of his 55th anniversary and retirement as the "Voice of the Pirates" for the Pearl High School Football Team.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Representative Ray Rogers and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.