MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representatives Bourdeaux, Young, Robinson (84th)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING DR. WILLIAM RILEY FOR RECEIVING THE 1999 MERIDIAN STAR CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AWARD.

WHEREAS, Dr. William Riley, a resident of Meridian, Mississippi, has been named the 1999 Meridian Star Citizen of the Year; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Riley, a 1945 graduate of Vanderbilt University's School of Medicine, completed his internship in pediatrics at the John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, before serving the United States Army for two years during World War II; and

WHEREAS, after his release from active military duty, Dr. Riley resumed his pediatric residency training, spending one year at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and completing his residency in pediatrics at Vanderbilt University Hospital before returning to Meridian to join his father in his private pediatrics practice; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Riley, along with his brother, Dr. Richard Riley, sold Riley Memorial Hospital, a hospital founded by their father, Franklin Gail Riley who was the first pediatrician in Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, after the sale of the hospital in 1997, the brothers established the Riley Foundation, which has helped improve the quality of life for individuals and the Meridian community as a whole; and

WHEREAS, in January 1999, the Riley Foundation announced grant awards totaling $329,888.00 to allow six Meridian and Lauderdale County organizations to implement programs that promise long-term benefits for the area; and

WHEREAS, grant recipients include organizations such as the Community of Hope Tutoring Program, Aldersgate Retirement Community Youth Excitement Team, Inc., Care Lodge Domestic Violence Shelter, Multi-County Community Service Agency's Families First Resource Center and the Meridian Fire Department; and

WHEREAS, President of the Riley Foundation, Dr. Riley's goal for the foundation is to change the lives of the people the organization serves; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend such outstanding Mississippians as Dr. William Riley, whose generosity has touched the many lives of the citizens in Meridian:

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 Dr. William Riley for receiving the 1999 Meridian Star Citizen of the Year and express our deepest appreciation for the hard work and generosity of the Riley Foundation.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Dr. William Riley and members of the Capitol Press Corps.