MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Michel

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING LONG-TIME FOOTBALL WRITER JIMMIE MCDOWELL FOR BEING AWARDED THE PRESTIGIOUS BERT MCGRANE AWARD.

WHEREAS, long-time Football Writers Association of America member and Northside Sun columnist Jimmie McDowell claimed the organization's prestigious Bert McGrane Award and was honored at the annual awards banquet and breakfast recently; and

WHEREAS, McDowell, the president of the All-American Football Foundation and still a sports writer, at one time attended 45 consecutive FWAA annual meetings before missing the meeting in Tempe, Arizona, last year; he has served on various FWAA committees and still helps select past coaches for the association's citation awards; and

WHEREAS, McDowell, a 1949 graduate of Ole Miss, has won various writing and college football awards and has been an officer in numerous organizations, including the FWAA; and

WHEREAS, the McGrane Award has been given in the name of the former FWAA executive director each year since 1974, it is presented annually to a member of the FWAA for recognized distinguished service to the organization; and

WHEREAS, McDowell was the sports editor-columnist of the Jackson Daily News, the Jackson State Times, and the Meridian Star in Mississippi, the executive sports editor-columnist of the Trenton (NJ) Times and the executive sports editor-columnist of the Memphis Commercial Appeal; and

WHEREAS, McDowell, who writes a sports column for Mississippi papers, was the executive director of the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame in New York for 21 years after being the director of public relations and administrator of chapters for the foundation for six years; and

WHEREAS, he was also director of athletic publicity at the University of Southern Mississippi for four years (1951-1955); and

WHEREAS, a native of Brookhaven, McDowell was sports editor and columnist of the Leader starting at the age of 14; he is a veteran of World War II serving in the North Atlantic and Mediterranean Theaters of Operation; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the accomplishments of this sports editor who has brought honor to his university, his profession and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate long-time football writer Jimmie McDowell for being awarded the prestigious Bert McGrane Award presented by the Football Writers Association of America, and wish him continued success in his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be presented to Jimmie McDowell and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.