MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representatives Bozeman, Banks, Barnett (92nd), Brown, Chaney, Coleman (65th), Denny, Flaggs, Green (96th), Ketchings, Manning, Middleton, Robinson (63rd), Stribling, Thomas, Wallace, Weathersby, West, Woods

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING MR. CORTLAND RAYDARIUS COLLINS FOR HIS OUTSTANDING MUSICAL TALENT.

WHEREAS, Cortland Raydarius Collins, a native of Hazlehurst, Mississippi, has been playing the drums since he was three years old and began taking professional drum lessons when he was 4-1/2 years old; and

WHEREAS, Cortland, born December 28, 1992, is the son of Vicky S. Collins and Steve Collins and is in kindergarten at Hazlehurst Elementary School; and

WHEREAS, Cortland's favorite drum solo is "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms" by Timothy Wright; and

WHEREAS, Cortland has played the drums for various schools, churches and other organizations throughout the state, including Hall's Hill Missionary Baptist Church, Antioch Baptist Church, Egypt Hill Missionary Baptist Church, Greater Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church, Hazlehurst Chamber of Commerce, Mississippi Educational TV, the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, Crystal Springs High School, Hazlehurst High School, Mt. Sinai Head Start and the Mississippi Gospel Gathering; and

WHEREAS, in addition to his performances in the State of Mississippi, Cortland has received national attention with appearances on, "It's Showtime at the Apollo," and the "Seventh Annual Trumpet Awards," and he has been contacted by national television shows such as the "Tonight Show with Jay Leno," the "Howie Mandel Show," and "On Stage Around the World"; and

WHEREAS, Cortland has been heard on numerous radio stations throughout the United States, including stations in Atlanta, Detroit, Kansas City and Omaha and also in Victoria, British Columbia in Canada; and

WHEREAS, because of his remarkable talent as a drummer, Cortland has been featured in many newspaper articles in local and national newspapers, including The Copiah County Courier, The Meteor, The Daily Leader, The Clarion-Ledger, The Atlanta Journal Constitution, the Washington Afro-American and The Washington Tribune; and

WHEREAS, Cortland has been encouraged and supported in his musical endeavors by his parents, Vicky and Steve Collins and his big brother, Cory Collins; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend such outstanding and talented musicians, especially when evidenced by the children of our state, who are its future:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Mr. Cortland Raydarius Collins for his outstanding musical talent and extend to him our heartiest wishes of success in all his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the parents of Cortland Raydarius Collins and members of the Capitol Press Corps.