MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Hamilton, Hall

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING J. KELLEY WILLIAMS UPON HIS INDUCTION INTO THE MISSISSIPPI BUSINESS HALL OF FAME.

WHEREAS, J. Kelley Williams, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ChemFirst, Inc., in Jackson, Mississippi, was recently selected for induction into the Mississippi Business Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, J. Kelley Williams was chosen not only because of his accomplishments in the business world, but also because of his contributions to his community and state; and

WHEREAS, he joins other laureates who have been inducted into the Mississippi Business Hall of Fame since its founding in 1989 by Junior Achievement of Mississippi and its co-sponsor, The Clarion-Ledger; and

WHEREAS, a 17-person selection committee, composed of business leaders and educators from across the state, chose Williams from over 100 nominations submitted statewide; and

WHEREAS, J. Kelley Williams, as head of ChemFirst, Inc., oversees the production of chemicals for industry and agriculture; and

WHEREAS, a native of Greenwood, Mississippi, Williams graduated from Georgia Tech and received a master of business administration from Harvard University; and

WHEREAS, J. Kelley Williams joined the First Mississippi Corp., as the company was known then, in 1967, and became president and chief executive officer in 1972; and

WHEREAS, three years later the company became the first Mississippi-chartered corporation to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange; and

WHEREAS, Williams led the company through a major restructuring focusing on chemicals and related business; and

WHEREAS, total return by the company to shareholders for five years ending December 31, 1997, was 631 percent, compared with the Standard and Poor's 500 return of 151 percent; and

WHEREAS, J. Kelley Williams serves on the Mississippi Economic Council, Mississippi Foundation of Independent Colleges, and a Georgia Tech advisory board, and is Chairman of the Institute for Technology Development in Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to commend and recognize the exemplary service of its citizens:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend J. Kelley Williams upon his induction into the Mississippi Business Hall of Fame.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to J. Kelley Williams and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.