MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2001 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representative Ford

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING MS. SELA WARD FOR HER MANY ACHIEVEMENTS AS A SUCCESSFUL ACTRESS AND FOR HER SUPPORT AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HOPE FOR CHILDREN FACILITY.

WHEREAS, Ms. Sela Ward, a native of Meridian, Mississippi, has been nominated for numerous awards throughout her successful acting career such as the Emmy Awards, the Cable Ace Awards, the Golden Globe Awards and the Screen Actors Guild; and

WHEREAS, recently, Ms. Ward received her second Emmy Award for Best Actress in a Drama for her portrayal of Lily Manning on ABC's critically acclaimed dramatic series Once and Again, which has also garnered her two Golden Globe nominations; and

WHEREAS, in addition, Ms. Ward won an Emmy Award for Best Actress in a Drama in 1994 for her role as Teddy, the struggling artist and recovering alcoholic, on NBC's award winning series, Sisters; and

WHEREAS, in 1996, Ms. Ward won a Cable Ace Award for "Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Special" for her performance in the Lifetime original film, Almost Golden: The Jessica Savitch Story; and

WHEREAS, having grown up in Meridian, Ms. Ward moved to Memphis to do public relations work for Pepsi, began a highly successful career as a model and turned to acting at the age of 27; and

WHEREAS, in 1983, Ms. Ward moved to Los Angeles, California, where she got her big break in the Burt Reynolds' film The Man Who Loved Women; and

WHEREAS, although Ms. Ward is a very successful, notable and famous actress, she still manages to support the Meridian community and the entire State of Mississippi through actively participating in many programs and fundraisers; and

WHEREAS, one of Ms. Ward's numerous projects has been the support of a program called "Hope for Children," a residential facility for children with special needs; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Ward's involvement with Hope for Children has enabled this program to purchase the Masonic Home due to her relationship with the Entertainment Industry Foundation, which gave a generous grant that will pay for renovations as well as the property itself; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Ward's devotion and vision for Hope for Children goes beyond the opening of a shelter for children in Meridian, but to developing a blueprint that can be used by communities throughout the United States, "Rethinking the Orphanage"; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Ward, along with her husband, Howard Sherman, a Los Angeles businessman, and their two children, often vacation at their 280-acre ranch near Meridian, where the rustic lifestyle is a perfect contrast to the family's life in California; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives of the State of Mississippi to recognize and commend outstanding Mississippians such as Ms. Sela Ward, whose success and generosity has brought great pride and honor to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend Ms. Sela Ward for her many achievements as a successful actress, express our sincere appreciation for her support and contributions to the Hope for Children Facility and express our heartiest wishes for success in all her future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Ms. Sela Ward and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.