Senate Resolution 65

(As Adopted by Senate)

A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF ROCKFORD (ROCKY) VAUGHAN OF ACKERMAN, MISSISSIPPI, IN DESIGNING THE NEW MISSISSIPPI STATE FLAG.

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

WHEREAS, Rockford (Rocky) Wayne Vaughan was born in Eupora, Mississippi, in June 1977. After moving to Ackerman, Mississippi, at age four, with his parents, Gary and Beverly Vaughan, and younger brother Quint, Rocky 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, Rocky attended Holmes Community College, where he earned a scholarship to Mississippi State University, studying graphic design. While developing his skills, his designs gained him award-winning titles on both state and national levels. In 2003, musical aspirations took Rocky to Nashville 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, Rocky 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, Rocky became determined to create a less controversial state flag. This early inspiration set in motion the process for Rocky to submit a flag design when Governor Tate Reeves created a flag commission in June 2020. On November 3, 2020, the voters of Mississippi overwhelmingly voted in favor of Rocky's design as the new flag for the State of Mississippi. 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 State Flower, a Magnolia Blossom, in the center of a dark blue stripe surrounded by gold and red vertical stripes. 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. The twenty white stars represent Mississippi's status as the 20th state to enter the union. At the bottom of the circle of stars are the words, "In God We Trust"; and

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

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we acknowledge the background of our new state flag and the input of a young Mississippian into its design:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby recognize the contributions of Rockford (Rocky) Vaughan of Ackerman, Mississippi, in designing the new Mississippi State Flag, and extend the best wishes of the Mississippi Senate to this Mississippi citizen for future positive community involvement.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Rocky Vaughan and his family, forwarded to the Choctaw County Economic Development District and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.