Senate Concurrent Resolution 596

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING CHARLES EDWARD WEEMS, SR., FOR HIS PIONEERING CONTRIBUTIONS IN ESTABLISHING THE SEAFOOD INDUSTRY IN MISSISSIPPI AND FOR HIS SERVICE TO HIS COMMUNITY AND STATE.

WHEREAS, Charles Edward Weems, Sr., is a pioneer in the seafood business on the Mississippi Gulf Coast; and

WHEREAS, Charles Edward Weems, Sr., began his career working as a fisherman with his brother on his father's shrimp boat, the "Nettie"; and

WHEREAS, in 1937, he and his brother built their first shrimp and oyster boat the "Thomas D. Kirnan" after the gentleman who loaned them the money to build the boat; and

WHEREAS, in 1939, he and his brother built their second shrimp boat the "Bobbie Charles"; and

WHEREAS, over the years he and his brother built 12 shrimp boats, which were used in their growing seafood business; and

WHEREAS, in 1941, he and his brother formed the seafood company, the WEEMS BROS. SEAFOOD CO., located on the back bay of Biloxi; and

WHEREAS, showing the resiliency of his pioneering spirit, he rebuilt his seafood company after it was destroyed by a hurricane in 1937 and again in 1969 after it was destroyed by the infamous hurricane, "Camille"; and

WHEREAS, Charles Edward Weems, Sr., was an innovator in the seafood industry and was the first oyster processor to install an automated oyster shucking machine in Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, his tenacity, work ethic and innovative ideas earned him the respect of his peers in the seafood industry; and

WHEREAS, this was evident in the mutual respect and admiration shared between Charles and his fellow pioneer in the seafood industry, neighbor and close personal friend, Houston C. Gollott; and

WHEREAS, he brought his sons into the Weems Bros. Seafood Co., Laddie in 1962, Ronnie in 1965, and Charles Jr. in 1974; and

WHEREAS, Charles Edward Weems, Sr., sold Weems Bros. Seafood Co. to his three sons in 1984; and

WHEREAS, Charles Edward Weems, Sr., was active in state and community affairs; and

WHEREAS, Charles Edward Weems, Sr., was appointed to the Seafood Commission which was also known as the Marine Conservation Commission for eight years and served as chairman of the commission for four years; and

WHEREAS, Charles Edward Weems, Sr., was appointed to the federal draft board by President John F. Kennedy and he served on the board for four years; and

WHEREAS, he also served on the Biloxi Housing Authority Board; and

WHEREAS, he and his wife Glenna were married for 63 years, until her death in 1966; and

WHEREAS, at the age of 87, he is now retired and living at his home on the back bay of Biloxi, less than one block from the seafood business that he founded; and

WHEREAS, he is enjoying his retirement with his large family: sons, Charles Jr. and his wife, Joan; Jerry and his wife, Anita; Laddie and his wife, Barbara; Ronnie and his wife, Jeanell; and daughter, Sonja and her husband, Matt; nine grandsons: Charles III, Gene, Dean, Darren, Ronnie Jr., Jarrod, Greg, Josh and Jonathan; three granddaughters: Stacey, Alicia and Hannah; 12 great-grandchildren: Caitlin, Lindsey, Shelby, Laura, Samantha, Adam, Nathan, Ryan, Shawn, Devon, Jacob and Austin; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the Legislature to recognize and commend the contributions and dedicated service of the citizens of 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 Charles Edward Weems, Sr., for his vision and contributions as a pioneer in establishing the seafood industry in Mississippi and for his dedicated service to his community and state.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be presented to Mr. Charles Edward Weems, Sr.