MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Ferris, Horhn

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO COMMEND DR. PAUL E. BALLARD OF VICKSBURG, MISSISSIPPI, FOR HIS CONTRIBUTIONS IN PROMOTING THE ARTS IN MISSISSIPPI AND TO CONGRATULATE HIM AS THE RECIPIENT OF THE ARTS PATRON AWARD OF THE GOVERNOR'S AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE IN THE ARTS. 

WHEREAS, Dr. Paul E. Ballard has contributed enormous amounts of his time and talent to help the arts grow and thrive in his community; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Ballard has contributed his time and talent to benefit the arts community in Vicksburg, having spent many years directing band in the local schools; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Ballard taught music to many Vicksburg children, and, although he left that calling to become a dentist, he remained active in the arts during the years of his dental practice; and

WHEREAS, he remains a steadfast supporter of the Vicksburg Little Theatre Guild, having served on the guild's board since its establishment 12 years ago; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Ballard has been president of the board of the Vicksburg Little Theatre Guild for 8 years; and

WHEREAS, in addition to his numerous stage performances in the guild's productions, Dr. Ballard has been the musical director for almost every musical performed in Vicksburg in the last decade. He took the theatre group to new levels by producing challenging productions such as H.M.S. Pinafore, Jesus Christ Superstar and Pirates of Penzance, among others; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Ballard has lent his talent in development, and has taken personal responsibility for the financial and structural health of the community theater; and

WHEREAS, last year, Paul Ballard worked to raise $10,000.00 and personally donated $25,000.00 to provide a new roof for the theatre, and is now heading a project to raise funds to repair the building's exterior; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Ballard established a scholarship fund which makes college grants to graduating high school seniors who have been involved in stage productions at the theatre and have strong creative talents in memory of his son, Jeremy Paul Ballard; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Paul E. Ballard is this year's recipient of the Arts Patron Award of the Governor's Awards for Excellence in the Arts; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize the stellar contributions of such outstanding citizens as Dr. Ballard:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MISSISSIPPI STATE SENATE, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend Dr. Paul E. Ballard for his enormous contributions to the arts in Mississippi and for his role in the flowering of the arts in this state, and also congratulate him as the recipient of the Arts Patron Award of the Governor's Awards for Excellence in the Arts.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be presented to Dr. Ballard and to the Vicksburg Little Theatre.