Senate Resolution 58

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND THANKING THE MISSISSIPPI LOGGERS ASSOCIATION "2024 NATIONAL CHAMPION VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR" ROY HOLDER FOR HIS OUTSTANDING CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS AND FOR HIS LEADERSHIP IN SETTING A NEW DONATION RECORD FOR "LOG-A-LOAD FOR KIDS CHARITY" SUPPORTING THE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF MISSISSIPPI.

WHEREAS, through the Mississippi Loggers Association (MLA) and the Log-A-Load for Kids Charity Program, the generosity of the people associated with Mississippi's logging industry is demonstrated to the state and nation; and

WHEREAS, we join the Mississippi Loggers Association in recognizing Roy Holder as the 2024 "Log-A-Load for Kids National Champion Volunteer of the Year." Roy and his group of volunteers have been helping the Log-A-Load for Kids Charity for over 20 years. His dedication was one of the determining factors in his receipt of this distinguished honor; and

WHEREAS, Roy, his wife Carmen, brother Mark and Mark's wife Leslie, greatly helped MLA Log-A-Load for Kids Charity raise the $2,315,424.62 through the end of 2023 for the Children's of Mississippi Hospital, formerly known as Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital; and

WHEREAS, Roy's skill as an auctioneer with a unique style was very helpful to the program. He keeps everyone at an auction engaged and amused with his witty humor. Roy and his family hold auctions for others in need from cancer patients to those with life-threatening or life-changing illnesses or injuries. Roy believes that the Lord has blessed him and his family, and this work gives thanks for the blessings; and

WHEREAS, Roy has auctioned from coast-to-coast, from Maine to California, and numerous states in between. Roy has sold many items from chainsaws to rifles to raise thousands of dollars in benefit auctions with his unique style of "SELL IT AGAIN!!!". Mississippi is blessed to have people like Roy and his family, and we are extremely blessed that they have continued to support the MLA Log-A-Load for Kids Charity; and

WHEREAS, at the beginning of 2024, the Children's of Mississippi Hospital thanked the Log-A-Load for Kids Charity for their generous support over the past years, and in December, MLA Log-A-Load for Kids surpassed Walmart in donations in 2024, setting a new record. The donation check was for $317,050.00 and an in-kind donation of $1,040.83. MLA Log-A-Load for Kids has come a long way in its 31 years of existence. The charity has now contributed $2,636,546.45 in that time. It is amazing how generous the people associated with the logging industry are; and

WHEREAS, we are truly honored to commend such a caring group of people who give back to the communities they are a part of; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we acknowledge the vision and foresight of the Mississippi Loggers Association and the American Loggers Council for their industry goals and their community service:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and thank the Mississippi Loggers Association "2024 National Champion Volunteer of the Year" Roy Holder for his outstanding charitable contributions and for his leadership in setting a new donation record for "Log-A-Load for Kids Charity" supporting the Children's Hospital of Mississippi, and extend to this industry the best wishes of the Senate for continued growth.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Roy Holder and MLA Executive Director David Livingston, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.