MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2001 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representative Watson

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING MRS. MARTHA LAYTON RICHARDSON TATUM ON BEING NAMED THE 2001 ARTS PATRON AWARD WINNER OF THE GOVERNOR'S AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE IN THE ARTS.

WHEREAS, Mrs. Martha Layton Richardson Tatum will be honored on February 9, 2001, for being named the 2001 Arts Patron Award Winner of the Governor's Awards for Excellence in the Arts; and

WHEREAS, for more than 30 years, Mrs. Tatum has devoted her time and energy to the community arts programs in the Hattiesburg area; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Tatum was instrumental in the founding of the Hattiesburg Civic Light Opera in the mid-1970's, where she has served as the fifth president of the performing arts organizations and remains on its board of directors; and

WHEREAS, in 1996, Mrs. Tatum provided the impetus for the founding of the Hattiesburg Civic Chorus and Concert Association and remains an active participant on its board of directors; and

WHEREAS, through her financial support of the College of the Arts at the University of Southern Mississippi, some 11 students now receive scholarship assistance in the fields of theatre and music; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Tatum provided the initial installment of a $500,000.00 pledge to the Theatre/Dance Endowment managed by the University of Southern Mississippi Foundation; and

WHEREAS, in appreciation and recognition for her longtime commitment and many contributions to the arts, the largest theatre in the University of Southern Mississippi's new Theatre and Dance Building was named after Mrs. Tatum; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Tatum has served on the Hattiesburg Arts Council, and currently is serving on one of the committees engaged in planning the gala opening of the restored Saenger Theatre, a cornerstone in revitalization efforts in downtown Hattiesburg; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Tatum has provided individual private grants to area students at the high school and college level for the purchase of musical instruments or to defray performance expenses; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend outstanding Mississippians such as Mrs. Tatum, whose many years of dedication to the arts has touched the lives of so many:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend Mrs. Martha Layton Richardson Tatum for being named the 2001 Arts Patron Award Winner of the Governor's Awards for Excellence in the Arts and express our best wishes of success in all her future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mrs. Martha Layton Richardson Tatum and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.