MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2001 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representative Whittington

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING MS. VIOLA BROWN SANDERS UPON BEING NAMED OUTSTANDING CITIZEN OF LEFLORE COUNTY BY THE GREENWOOD LIONS CLUB.

WHEREAS, Ms. Viola Brown Sanders was named Outstanding Citizen of the Year for 2000 by the Greenwood Lions Club on February 22, 2001; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Sanders attended Mississippi Delta Community College and Delta State Teachers College, now known as Delta State University; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Sanders faithfully served the United States in the Navy for 23 years and reached the rank of Captain, the highest rank a woman could achieve in the Navy at that time; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Sanders attended the first NATO Conference for Women in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1960; and

WHEREAS, highlights of Ms. Sanders naval career include working with Admiral Richard E. Byrd in 1955 as part of the International Geophysical Year and her three years of service in Japan on the staff of the Commander of Naval Forces; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Sanders returned to the Delta in 1972, where she has remained an active member of her community for many years, having been instrumental in the planning and building of the Veterans Monument in Greenwood, which was dedicated in 1999; and

WHEREAS, in addition, Ms. Sanders serves on the Foundation Board at Delta State University, the Board of the Cottonlandia Museum and is an active member of Sidon United Methodist Church; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Sanders has received numerous awards throughout her long and distinguished career including Delta State University Alumnus of the Year; Mississippi Delta Junior College Alumnus of the Year; Greenwood Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame; the United Nations, Korean and National Defense Service Medals; and the Legion of Merit Award for exceptionally meritorious achievement; 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. Sanders, whose dedication and hard work in her community exemplifies that of a model citizen:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Ms. Viola Brown Sanders upon being named Outstanding Citizen of Leflore County by the Greenwood Lions Club 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. Viola Brown Sanders and to members of the Capitol Press Corps.