MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representative Rotenberry

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING JAMES SMITH FOR HIS YEARS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE AND FAMILY INVOLVEMENT. 

WHEREAS, Mr. James Smith, a long-time resident of Mendenhall, Mississippi, began his employment with the Illinois Central Railroad Company in the year 1937, where he was engaged in the strenuous occupation of track maintenance laying crossties, removing and replacing broken rails, and removing debris from the tracks after severe weather, work which would wear low any average man of lesser stamina and inner moral strength; and

WHEREAS, during his employment with the Illinois Central Railroad, Mr. James Smith never took his job tasks for granted, but instead he always did his very best no matter how meager the task may have seemed to others, and proved his dedication by never being late on the job and always giving close attention to the instructions and rules for the day; and

WHEREAS, dedication and diligence should always be rewarded, on the one particular day when the foreman asked the workers to repeat what had been the rule for that day, Mr. James Smith was the only one who could repeat it, he was awarded a silver dollar; and

WHEREAS, because of his diligence to work and do his best at his job, the foreman singled out Mr. James Smith to be transferred from section laborer to machine operator; and

WHEREAS, because of Mr. Smith's outstanding performance on his newly promoted position which required him to drive a motor car from Mendenhall, to Laurel, to Jackson, Mississippi, James Smith was promoted again to a higher position; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Smith's new position carried him to the four corners of our state as a truck driver for the section crews and getting the crew to the sites to replace or repair railroad tracks; and

WHEREAS, Mr. James Smith maintained his duties with the railroad until the golden year of May 1972, when he felt it was time to give it up and retire after serving thirty-five years with the Illinois Central Railroad and for such dedicated service the company awarded Mr. Smith with commendations that were presented to him by the president of the company and the region superintendent; and

WHEREAS, even though Mr. James Smith has been retired for twenty-four years, he has continued to work everyday performing some duties that his health allows him to do; and

WHEREAS, now at the ripe age of 89 years, God has continued to give Mr. James Smith strength and determination to keep on going and now, by the grace of God, Mr. James Smith serves as a "model" for this generation of today; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to reward excellence:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend Mr. James Smith for his many years of community service and family involvement.

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