Senate Concurrent Resolution 540

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING COACH HENRY "DOC" WOODS OF NATCHEZ, MISSISSIPPI, THE BLUFF CITY POST
"PERSON OF THE DECADE."

WHEREAS, Coach Henry "Doc" Woods, long-time coach, teacher, and civic-charitable activist, has been named "Person of the Decade" by the Bluff City Post; and

WHEREAS, some 61 years ago, a legend was born in the neighborhood of West Stiers Lane. The name of that legend was Henry "Doc" Woods. He has graced the hallways and athletic fields of Sadie V. Thompson High School and Mississippi Valley State University to become the State of Mississippi's greatest track coach; and

WHEREAS, in 40 years of coaching, Woods has amassed an impressive if not awesome record. With a .820 winning percentage, his teams have earned 18 State Championships, 105 district wins and 643 total meet wins; and

WHEREAS, through four decades, Woods has sent a number of his athletes to college to become successful citizens in many communities across the United States; and

WHEREAS, school track coach for the Natchez Adams School District, Woods also served as a volunteer director, lead coach and lead recruiter for the Natchez Track Club Summer Program for the past 23 years; and

WHEREAS, during this period, he established the Track Club Parent Board as well as coordinated all the necessary USA Track and Field Southern Association materials for the Natchez Track Club to participate in state, regional, national and international events; and

WHEREAS, Coach Woods serves as the First Vice President of the USA Track and Field Southern Association for Mississippi and Louisiana from 1991 to the present. Up to 30 of the local youth each summer from 10-18 years of age participate in the Natchez Track Club Sports Club thanks to the hard work and dedication of Coach Woods; and

WHEREAS, Woods has prepared these athletes to become elite performers in competitive track events. As a result of his hard work, many athletes that would have gone unnoticed during the regular school program have earned college and university scholarships through the Summer Track Program; and

WHEREAS, other community activities that "Doc" Woods has been actively involved in, includes being an assistant director of the local Special Olympics and being a member of the Metro War on Drugs; and

WHEREAS, in November of the year 2001, the City of Natchez and the Board of Aldermen at their regular meeting honored Coach Woods for his forty years of service to the community by presenting him with a $500.00 check and keys to the city and a resolution and recommendation to the Natchez Adams County School Board that they name the school track field the Henry "Doc" Woods Track Field; and

WHEREAS, one thing that has not gone unnoticed is the fact that "Doc" Woods is one of the State's most eligible bachelors.

He also spends a lot of time with his college age son, Henry, Jr.; and

WHEREAS, he is a member of the Forest Aide Baptist Church where he serves as Sunday School Superintendent and is President of the Forest Aide Club. He also served as Sports Editor of the Bluff City Post for the year 1996, writing an article for which he received an award; and

WHEREAS, he has worked many years in many different capacities but the one thing that he seems most comfortable doing outside of coaching is teaching the Bible. Coach Woods prides himself on being an astute Bible scholar and he is an avid Bible reader and when he teaches a class there is spell-binding silence in the room because he engages the audience into the words and history from whatever book he is teaching; and

WHEREAS, Coach Henry "Doc" Woods' long-term service in our community has made a great and lasting impact on our youth as they pursue rewarding and positive career goals; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this designation which brings honor to him, 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 Coach Henry "Doc" Woods 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 coaching endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be presented to Coach Woods, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.