House Resolution 153

A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND COMMENDING ROCKFORD (ROCKY) VAUGHAN OF ACKERMAN, MISSISSIPPI, FOR DESIGNING THE NEW MISSISSIPPI STATE FLAG.

WHEREAS, we join the citizens of the State of Mississippi in honoring the efforts of a resident who was instrumental in the design of our new Mississippi State Flag; and

WHEREAS, Rockford (Rocky) Vaughan was born in Eupora, Mississippi, in June 1977, and at the age of four, after moving to Ackerman, Mississippi, with his parents, Gary and Beverly Vaughan, and younger brother Quint, he became very active in church, school sports, city league sports, as well as choral music, all while gaining interest in the arts; and

WHEREAS, in 1996, after graduating high school, Mr. Vaughan attended Holmes Community College, where he earned a scholarship to Mississippi State University, studying graphic design, and while developing his skills, his designs gained him award-winning titles on both state and national levels; and

WHEREAS, in 2003, musical aspirations took Mr. Vaughan to Nashville, Tennessee, where he found a platform for performing on Lower Broadway for the next seven years; and

WHEREAS, after returning home to Mississippi with his new family, Mr. Vaughan continued to produce designs for various brands such as Dog Pound Printing, Southern Belle, Black Sporting, and he became the lead designer for the lifestyle brand Coastal Waters Supply Company; and

WHEREAS, in 2013, inspired by a news story regarding the history of the Mississippi flag, Mr. Vaughan became determined to create a less controversial state flag, and this early inspiration set in motion the process for him to submit a flag design when Governor Tate Reeves created a flag commission in June 2020; and

WHEREAS, on November 3, 2020, the voters of Mississippi overwhelmingly voted in favor of Mr. Vaughan's design as the new flag for the State of Mississippi, and under House Bill No. 1 (2021 Regular Session), the Legislature ratified the new design as the official flag of the State of Mississippi on January 6, 2021, and the bill was approved by the Governor on January 11, 2021; and

WHEREAS, the flag features the official state flower, a magnolia blossom, in the center of a dark blue stripe surrounded by gold and red vertical stripes, and the magnolia sits in the middle of a circle of 20 white stars with a gold star at the top that represents the Native American tribes who lived in Mississippi, and the twenty white stars represent Mississippi's status as the 20th state to enter the Union, and at the bottom of the circle of stars are the words, "In God We Trust"; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Vaughan currently resides in Ackerman, Mississippi, with his wife Keland and their son Bentley, and the Vaughans own and operate Deep South Confection and Design and have four sons: Ryder, Brody, Ben and Bentley; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to honor extraordinary Mississippians such as Mr. Rockford (Rocky) Vaughan, whose tremendous contributions and exceptional talent brings honor 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 Rockford (Rocky) Vaughan for designing the new Mississippi State Flag, and extend best wishes for continued success in all his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Rockford (Rocky) Vaughan, the Choctaw County Economic Development District and to the Capitol Press Corps.