House Resolution 155

A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND COMMENDING MR. JIM AND MRS. ELTA JOHNSTON FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY SERVICE AND CONTRIBUTIONS.

WHEREAS, Mr. Jim and Mrs. Elta Johnston have been strong supporters and advocates for Jackson, Mississippi, and the community of Woodland Hills in Jackson, and have each left a positive impact on their community; and

WHEREAS, a native of Jackson, Mrs. Johnston is a former college English instructor, and is a long-time community activist, having headed a number of organizations over the years, including: the Junior League of Jackson, St. Andrews School Parents' Association, Goodwill Industries Volunteer Services, University Press Bookfriends, and the Woodland Hills Homeowners' Association; and

WHEREAS, remarkably, Mrs. Johnston was instrumental in naming the main library in Jackson for Eudora Welty, and was one of the founders of the nonprofit Jackson Friends of the Library, to provide additional support to the Hinds County Library system, and she has also been very involved with the Women's Foundation of Mississippi, and is an emerita member of its board; and

WHEREAS, also a native of Jackson, Mr. Johnston, along with two others, saw a need for gastrointestinal care in the Jackson metro area and organized GI Associates in 1981, and since then, it has grown to be one of the leading GI practices in the area; and

WHEREAS, dedicated to the betterment of his community, since retiring in 2012, Mr. Johnston has worked to help clean up blighted areas in Jackson, and mobilize neighborhood revitalization around the city; and

WHEREAS, through the nonprofit Revitalize Jackson Fund, Mr. Johnston focused his fundraising efforts and project plans to root out and destroy dilapidated, abandoned, and trash-filled properties, and he convinced others to monetarily support these efforts in order to realize the dream of a revitalized Capital City; and

WHEREAS, outstandingly, Revitalize Mississippi took shape, and is now working across the state to identify vacant lots and houses and put them into the hands of neighbor groups to maintain and redevelop; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to commend extraordinary community leaders, especially those such as Mr. and Mrs. Johnston, whose hard work and dedication to the City of Jackson brings honor to their community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby recognize and commend Mr. Jim and Mrs. Elta Johnston for their outstanding community service and contributions, and extend best wishes for continued success in all their future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mr. Jim and Mrs. Elta Johnston and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.