House Resolution 25

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING HIS DISTINGUISHED CAREER AND THE MERITORIOUS LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE THAT MR. TOMMY SAPPINGTON HAS PROVIDED TO NEW ALBANY, MISSISSIPPI, THROUGH THE NEW ALBANY MAIN STREET ASSOCIATION.

WHEREAS, Mr. Tommy Sappington, organized a group of downtown merchants and community leaders to cofound a National Main Street Program in New Albany, Mississippi, in 1985, and since that time, Mr. Sappington has continuously served the New Albany Main Street Board with his professionalism and competence; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Sappington recognized a need to revitalize the downtown of New Albany and promote small business owners, as the owner of a retail shop in the area, the T. Sappington & Company, which was started by Mr. Sappington's father in the 1950s; and

WHEREAS, in order to apply to join the Mississippi Main Street Association, all of the buildings in the historic district of New Albany had to be inventoried and measured in great detail, and Mr. Sappington documented the entire process by taking before and after pictures of every store front in the downtown area; and

WHEREAS, several board meetings later, in 1996, the Board of Aldermen approved the program and the New Albany Main Street Association was officially chartered on October 21, 1996, a true blessing for Mr. Tommy Sappington, who has loved the New Albany historic district since he was a small child; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Sappington has exponentially benefitted the New Albany Main Street Association since its inception 25 years ago, including hand painting light poles in the downtown area, playing an instrumental role in the design of the Tallahatchie Bridge, and recovering and restoring the Cooper Park Coca-Cola sign, which is a 1907 mural and has become one of the most photographed pieces of art in the entire downtown area; and

WHEREAS, since 1995, Mr. Sappington and Mr. Wiseman have restored four historic buildings and assisted numerous others with restoration projects, all at no cost to the business owner, and currently, there are no vacant buildings on Bankhead and Main Streets, a true testament to the success of the New Albany Main Street Association and the diligent efforts of Mr. Sappington; and

WHEREAS, additionally, as part of the New Albany Main Street Association, Mr. Sappington has served on the steering committee and was a charter board member and past president, and because of his exquisite woodworking creations, he has been a member of the Craftsmen Guild of Mississippi since 1995, was nominated for a Governor's Award in the Arts in 1995, was chosen as one of the top 200 traditional craftsmen by Early American Homes in 1999 and was chosen by Hillary Clinton to construct a wooden ornament for the White House Blue Room Christmas tree in 2000, which is now on display at the Washington Smithsonian Institute; and

WHEREAS, throughout his career, Mr. Sappington has been supported by his lovely wife, Martha Carol, and his wonderful children; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Tommy Sappington is a man of incredible stature and character, and his numerous community contributions have tremendously advanced the wonderful State of Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend the magnificent contributions and unparalleled community service that exceptional Mississippians such as Mr. Tommy Sappington provide to the citizens of this great Magnolia State:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend his distinguished career and the meritorious leadership and service that Mr. Tommy Sappington has provided to New Albany, Mississippi, through the New Albany Main Street Association and extend most sincere wishes for continued success in all of his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mr. Tommy Sappington and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.