MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Horhn

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING MRS. DAISY SHIRLEY REDDIX, FIRST LADY OF JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY, ON THE OCCASION OF HER 100TH BIRTHDAY.

WHEREAS, while the year 2000 marks the turn of the century, it also marks a milestone in the historic legacy of Jackson State University and in the distinguished affiliation of Mrs. Daisy Shirley Reddix, widow to the late Dr. Jacob L. Reddix, who has been an integral thread in the fabric of this university for sixty years, and on April 10, 2000, Mrs. Reddix will celebrate her 100th birthday; and

WHEREAS, in 1940, Dr. Reddix, a native son of Mississippi, was appointed by the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning to serve as the first president of Jackson State under state control; he served from 1940 to 1967; Mrs. Reddix served as the university's official hostess and first lady during this tenure; the year 2000 marks the sixtieth anniversary of Jackson State University as a state institution; and

WHEREAS, born high in Jamaica's legendary Blue Mountains at Shirley Castle which bears the family name, Daisy Uvasine Shirley (Reddix), is the twelfth of twelve children and sole survivor of Samuel Laidley Shirley and Anne Isabella Silvera Shirley; she is believed to be the "oldest known living Shirley," the Shirleys of England are one of the three oldest English families and trace their lineage back prior to the Crusades, the Shirley Clan celebrated 900 years in 1986; and

WHEREAS, at the age of fifteen, young Daisy Shirley migrated to America and joined a brother, George, and sister, Margaret, in Evanston, Illinois; in 1919, she became a United States citizen at the age of nineteen; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Reddix continued her education in America at Evanston Township High School and Evanston Business College; she later earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from Jackson State College in 1953 and her late husband, Dr. Reddix, conferred this degree as President of Jackson State; and

WHEREAS, professionally, Mrs. Reddix worked in Business Office Management in Chicago and Evanston, Illinois, during the early twenties; this included employment with the Overton Hygienic Company established by noted minority Chicago entrepreneur, Anthony Overton; between 1928 and 1940, following their marriage, the two worked in the public school system of Gary, Indiana, at Roosevelt High School; Mrs. Reddix was chief clerk in the business office and Dr Reddix headed the Department of Mathematics; during her twenty-seven years at Jackson State, Mrs. Reddix was employed in the Jackson State University business office until her retirement; and

WHEREAS, she is an active member of Fairish Street Baptist Church; she also remains active in many civic, social and university activities; among these are life member, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Beta Delta Omega Chapter, The Jackson Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, Mary Church Terrell Literary Club, the Harmonia Music Club and the Jackson State University Development Foundation; she loves family, friends, reading, music and travel, and wants to "go back to Jamaica, once more"; she gains strength through her faith and strong belief in the Almighty; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we, along with well wishers throughout the United States and abroad, recognize this landmark event in the life of someone who has brought such honor and dignity to her community, her university 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 Mrs. Daisy Shirley Reddix, first lady of Jackson State University, upon the occasion of her 100th birthday, and extend the best wishes and prayers of the Legislature.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be presented to Mrs. Reddix and her family and the President of Jackson State University, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.