MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2020 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Horhn, Barnett, Fillingane, McDaniel, Butler, Frazier, Norwood, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Jordan, Simmons (12th), Simmons (13th)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE RECOGNITION OF THE MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE TO HENRY DANTON AS THE RECIPIENT OF THE 2020 GOVERNOR'S ARTS AWARD FOR LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT IN DANCE.
WHEREAS, the Governor's Arts Awards Program has announced its 2020 recipients, which includes Henry Danton for Lifetime Achievement in Dance. Established in 1988, Governor's Arts Awards are given to individuals and organizations to recognize outstanding work in the artistic disciplines, as well as arts-based community development and arts patronage in Mississippi. The awards are presented in partnership with the Governor's Office and signify the important relationship between government and the arts; and
WHEREAS, Henry Danton is a 100-year-old world-renowned ballet dancer and teacher; and
WHEREAS, based in Petal, Mississippi, Danton continues to teach in South Mississippi as well as at Belhaven University. A native of England, he began his dance career at the age of 21 during the latter years of World War II, performing with international dance companies, including the founding of Sadler's Wells Ballet, which later became The Royal Ballet in England; and
WHEREAS, through teaching and dancing stints in South America, he founded the company that would become The Venezuelan National Ballet. He has taught at Carnegie Hall's Ballet Arts, the Martha Graham Dance Company and Juilliard; and
WHEREAS, during his 23-year residency in the state, Danton has taught and shared his extensive knowledge with hundreds of Mississippi students, making a profound impact on the state's dance community; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we pay tribute and express appreciation for the talent of a world-class Mississippi dance performer-instructor who has made Mississippi a better place and exemplifies the artistic traditions of our great state:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby extend the recognition of the Mississippi Legislature to Henry Danton, the recipient of the 2020 Governor's Arts Award for Lifetime Achievement in Dance, and extend our congratulations to this Mississippi artist on this auspicious occasion.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Henry Danton as part of the Governor's Arts Awards presentation, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.