MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2001 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Dearing, Johnson (38th)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING DR. LAMAR BRAXTON OF NATCHEZ, MISSISSIPPI, THE BLUFF CITY POST "PERSON OF THE DECADE."

WHEREAS, Dr. Lamar A. Braxton, Sr., CEO of Adams-Jefferson-Franklin-Claiborne (AFJC) Community Action Agency which operates Head Start Centers in four counties, has been named "Person of the Decade" by the Bluff City Post; and

WHEREAS, for more than 37 years, Dr. Braxton has been the Chief Executive of AFJC Community Action Agency, and in that position, Dr. Braxton has become even more acutely aware of how important education is and will be to the young people who are coming along today; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Braxton has been a member of the East Mount Olive Baptist Church in rural Jefferson County for over 50 years, yet he has made his home in Natchez for well over 30 years; when the church decided to build their present day church, Dr. Braxton was head of the building committee; and

WHEREAS, at East Mount Olive, he created an orientation committee for new members, and is presently serving as Chairman of the Deacon Board; in addition to being active in his own church, he is a great supporter of the General Missionary Baptist Convention; presently, Dr. Braxton is a member of the budget committee for the Laymen's Department (Brotherhood Outreach Program); and

WHEREAS, being a visionary long before so much emphasis was placed on learning how to operate computers, Dr. Braxton began a summer Computer Camp at Natchez Junior College for children ages 9-13 for a week at a time; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Braxton is a graduate of Jefferson County High School and has a B.S. degree in Social Science with a minor in English from Alcorn State University; while serving in the United States Army, he worked as Neuro-Psychiatric Specialist in medicine; after leaving the military, Dr. Braxton went back to school and received his Master's degree in History from Tennessee State University; he later did further study at the University of Michigan in Psychology; and

WHEREAS, there is a great fondness in his heart for Alcorn State University; he helped to organize the Natchez Chapter of the Alcorn State University National Alumni Association; he remains an ardent financial supporter of the university; and

WHEREAS, the church, Alcorn and AJFC have not been the only beneficiaries of his services; Dr. Braxton deeply believes that in order for one to reach one's potential, one must have access to adequate healthcare, obtain a quality education, and experience economic success; and

WHEREAS, his involvement in community activities has included a tenure on the Economic Development Authority (EDA) Commission sponsored by Entergy (formerly Mississippi Power and Light) to attract industry to the region; in this effort, Dr. Braxton learned that industry required skilled workers, a united community, and a satisfactory transportation system; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Braxton has always believed that both the white and black community must share a common interest in moving their community forward; to that end, he has sought to bring racial harmony to the community through his involvement with the Natchez Unification Committee; he has served as past Chairman of the Education Committee of the Adams County Chamber of Commerce; he presently serves on the Natchez-Adams Airport Commission; he has been a member of the Natchez Chapter of the NAACP Board of Directors; Dr. Braxton's impact has not only been felt in the Adams County and Jefferson County communities but also across the state; he served on the Mississippi State Welfare Board under then Governor William Winter, between 1980-1989, and served as chairman of the board; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Braxton is currently chairman of the nominating committee for the Mississippi Association of Community Action Agencies (MACAA); and

WHEREAS, for more than 30 years, Dr. Braxton has been involved in every aspect of life in the community; he has worked hard to make education, social and business progress possible; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Braxton is married to Lee J. Braxton and is the father of one son, Lamar Alvin Braxton, Jr.; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Braxton is a giant among men and continues to be a positive force in his community and his state, and it is with great pride that we recognize this designation which brings honor to his family, his community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Dr. Lamar Braxton of Natchez, Mississippi, upon being named the Bluff City Post "Person of the Decade" and wish him continued success in his future civic, charitable and business endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be presented to Dr. Braxton and his family, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.