MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) King, Farris

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING THE OAK GROVE HIGH SCHOOL BAND OF LAMAR COUNTY UPON ITS RECEIPT OF AN INVITATION FROM LUXEMBOURG TO PARTICIPATE IN A CEREMONY AT THE LUXEMBOURG-AMERICAN CEMETERY TO HONOR THE AMERICANS WHO DIED LIBERATING LUXEMBOURG DURING WORLD WAR II; TO ENCOURAGE THE BANDS' PARTICIPATION IN THIS EVENT AND ITS PARTICIPATION IN THE 14TH WORLD MUSIC CONTEST IN KERKRADE, NETHERLANDS; TO ENCOURAGE THE ASSISTANCE OF OTHERS TO ENSURE THAT THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI IS WELL-REPRESENTED AT THESE EVENTS.

WHEREAS, the United States Armed Forces played a crucial role in the liberation of Luxembourg from the Nazis during World War II; and

WHEREAS, over 5,000 Americans, including General George S. Patton, legendary commander of the U.S. Third Army, have their final resting place in the Luxembourg-American Cemetery located in Luxembourg; and

WHEREAS, the people of Luxembourg desire to commemorate the valor of the Americans who sacrificed their lives for the liberation of their country, solidify the bonds of friendship that exist between the United States and Luxembourg, and join together with young Americans in the promotion of peace expressed through the universal language of music; and

WHEREAS, Mississippi has been honored by having the Oak Grove High School Band from Lamar County invited to participate in a festival of friendship, commemoration and music in Luxembourg at the Luxembourg-American Cemetery; and

WHEREAS, the Oak Grove High School Band is one of only eleven high school bands in the United States that have been invited to participate in such ceremonies; and

WHEREAS, at such ceremonies the directors of the bands, the mayors of the adopting villages, a color guard from an American Army base, a color guard from the Luxembourg Army, the Luxembourg Ministers of Culture and Defense, the Mayor of Luxembourg City, the United States Ambassador to Luxembourg and other dignitaries, will present wreathes at the Memorial Chapel in the cemetery; and

WHEREAS, the Oak Grove High School Band will also compete in the 14th World Music Contest, in Kerkrade, Netherlands, which is a musical Olympics occurring every four years and include bands from throughout the world; and

WHEREAS, it is a high honor for the Oak Grove High School Band to be invited to represent the State of Mississippi and the United States in honoring and commemorating the valor and sacrifice of the men and women serving in the United States Armed Forces during World War II and receive on behalf of the United States the thanks of the people of Luxembourg:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby congratulate the Oak Grove High School Band of Lamar County for the honor that it has received by being invited by Luxembourg to represent the United States in ceremonies commemorating the valor and sacrifice of the men and women who served in the United States Armed Forces and participated in the liberation of Luxembourg during World War II.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That we call upon the citizens of the State of Mississippi to support and assist the Oak Grove High School Band in their effort to secure the means to attend the World Music Contest in Kerkrade, Netherlands on June 30, 2001, and to accept Luxembourg's invitation and to participate in the Luxembourg Commemoration Ceremonies in Luxembourg on July 7, 2001.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That we encourage the business and industrial community in this state, all veteran organizations in this state, the Department of Economic and Community Development and the Mississippi congressional delegation to assist in the effort to ensure that the State of Mississippi is well-represented in the Luxembourg Commemoration Ceremonies and the World Music Contest.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be sent to Oak Grove High School.