House Concurrent Resolution 106

(As Adopted by House and Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING MR. AND MRS. PAUL L. PARKER ON RECEIVING THE 2001-2002 JUNIOR AUXILIARY OF WATER VALLEY COMMUNITY INSPIRATION AWARD.

WHEREAS, Mr. and Mrs. Paul L. Parker, residents of Water Valley, Mississippi, were recently chosen by the Junior Auxiliary of Water Valley as recipients of the 2001-2002 Community Inspiration Award; and

WHEREAS, born July 29, 1915, Mr. Parker graduated from Macon High School in Noxubee County, Mississippi, and moved to Water Valley, where he opened his first business in 1937; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Charlotte Fredonia Todd Parker, born September 11, 1915, and raised in Oxford, Mississippi, was a school teacher at Camp Ground School; and

WHEREAS, May 7, 1939, Mr. and Mrs. Parker were united in holy matrimony, and to their union, one daughter, the late Charlotte Nancy Parker Turnipseed was born; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Parker, a World War II veteran, who valiantly served the United States from October 17, 1943, to January 9, 1946, has quite a notable reputation in and around the Water Valley community; and

WHEREAS, loyally serving as Water Valley's postmaster for nearly 30 years, Mr. Parker, once called "The Political Chief of Yalobusha County" by Senator Jim Eastland, was elected Alderman at Large and served as tri-county campaign manager for Senator John C. Stennis and as Colonel on Governor Fielding L. Wright's staff; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Parker, devoted to loving her husband and attending the needs of her family, operated the family business while her husband bravely fought on our nation's behalf in World War II; and

WHEREAS, sharing an endless amount of love for one another, Mr. and Mrs. Parker have also shared many honors in addition to the 2001-2002 Community Inspiration Award, including their selection as Water Valley Ambassadors; the 1996 Grand Marshals for the Christmas Parade; and the 2002 Young at Heart Valentine Sweetheart Couple by the First Baptist Church of Water Valley; and

WHEREAS, being righteously committed to their Christian service as members of the First Baptist Church of Water Valley, Mr. and Mrs. Parker remain devoted in their faith, with Mr. Parker serving as Deacon and Mrs. Parker serving as Sunday School Teacher and as a member of the Flower and Memorial Committees; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Parker, a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Board of Directors for the Bank of Water Valley, received the Rotary Paul Harris Award; and

WHEREAS, the life and times of Mr. Parker are chronicled for all to enjoy for generations to come in his autobiography, "It Was Worth it All"; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Parker, a fervent supporter of the WMU Mission Support, is a charter member of both the Junior Auxiliary of Water Valley and the Water Valley Garden Club; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend Mississippians such as Mr. and Mrs. Paul L. Parker, whose many noteworthy accomplishments and contributions to the Water Valley community epitomize a life of community service which serves as a model for all:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Mr. and Mrs. Paul Lincoln Parker of Water Valley, Mississippi, on being selected the 2001-2002 recipients of the Community Inspiration Award and extend to them our heartiest wishes for many more years of good health, peace and happiness.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mr. and Mrs. Paul L. Parker and to members of the Capitol Press Corps.