House Concurrent Resolution 5

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING SANDERSON FARMS UPON THE CELEBRATION OF ITS 75TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY.

WHEREAS, Sanderson Farms, the only Fortune 1000 company that is headquartered in the State of Mississippi, more specifically Laurel, and the nation's third largest poultry producer and one of the most successful businesses started in the Magnolia State, is celebrating its 75th year anniversary; and

WHEREAS, the humble roots of Sanderson Farms began in Laurel, Mississippi, with D.R. Sanderson, who was affectionately referred to as Mr. Bob, and his two young sons, Dewey and Joe Frank, Sr., in whom he instilled a staunch work ethic that would later become a pivotal part of the Sanderson Farms success story; and

WHEREAS, in 1947, Mr. Bob, who had been operating a family grocery store for several years, decided to try a new business venture and opened a farm supply business in Laurel, Mississippi, and his son, Joe Frank, Sr., joined the farm supply business in 1951, and introduced his family to the poultry business, and from this introduction, they decided to close the farm supply business and made the chicken business the company's only focus; and

WHEREAS, in 1955, the first feed mill and hatchery was built and the business was incorporated as Sanderson Brothers Farms and in 1961, the company merged with Miss Goldy, Inc., a poultry processing center, and from this merger, Sanderson Farms was formed, and in 1965, a poultry complex was built in the City of Laurel - the very same city where the Sanderson Farms legacy had its genesis at the feed and seed store only 17 years earlier; and

WHEREAS, in 1969, another generation of the Sanderson family was brought into the business as Joe Frank, Sr., introduced his son, Joe Frank, Jr., to the business just as his father, Mr. Bob, had done for him, thus, continuing the family business legacy; and

WHEREAS, after continued company growth, Joe Frank, Sr., succeeded his father, Mr. Bob, as president in 1982, and after serving as president for two years, Odell Johnson was named president in 1984, as he was a dedicated employee who had begun working for the company in 1958, and identified with the Sanderson family emphasis on integrity and treating others right; and

WHEREAS, in 1985, the elder Sanderson, Mr. Bob, passed away, and he is credited with developing the company from a small feed and seed store to one of the largest poultry companies in the country due in large part to his savvy operational tactics and conservative fiscal policies; and

WHEREAS, yet another generation of Sanderson leadership emerged as Joe Frank, Jr., was named president in 1989, and continued the company's undeniable success as he honed the 20 years of experience he gained before taking the helm as president while staying aligned with his family's legacy of unparalleled growth, quality products and being responsive to customer needs; and

WHEREAS, in 1998, after much success in leading Sanderson Farms, Joe Frank, Jr., transitioned to the role of chairman of the board, and in 2004, the company's fifth president, Lampkin Butts, was named as he had been with the company since 1973, and has made contributions in various positions throughout his tenure; and

WHEREAS, also in 1998, Joe Frank, Sr., passed away followed by his brother, Dewey, in 1999, leaving behind a legacy that can be looked to as a fine example of Sanderson family leadership; and

WHEREAS, under the leadership of Butts and Joe Frank, Jr., the company has continued to grow, and since 1993, Sanderson Farms has built more poultry complexes than any other company in the nation, and during its 75 years, has built nine poultry complexes, acquired four processing facilities and has spanned its operations to five states and 17 different communities, encompassing 12 processing facilities, 11 hatcheries, nine feed mills and one prepared foods division - all achieved by executing the plan of prudent growth and fiscal reasonability; and

WHEREAS, with more than 17,000 employees and working with 1,000 independent family farmers, the company remains a family-oriented business much like the feed and seed store where it first planted its roots over 75 years ago all while executing the company's principles of hard work, honesty, integrity and respecting the dignity of others, all of which has truly served Sanderson Farms well while simultaneously providing economic development and job opportunities for others:

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 Sanderson Farms upon the celebration of its 75th year anniversary, and wish its leadership and employees continued success in all their future endeavors.

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