House Concurrent Resolution 74

(As Adopted by House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF MR. JASPER NEELY, JR., AND EXPRESSING OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HIS PASSING.

WHEREAS, Mr. Jasper Neely, Jr., a native of Grenada, Mississippi, departed this life on Wednesday, January 29, 2003, causing a great loss to his family and friends; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Neely, the firstborn child of the late Jasper and Ethelean Neely-McNeal, was born on April 27, 1938; and

WHEREAS, after graduating from Carrie Dotson High School, where he was named All Conference in high school football, Mr. Neely attended Mississippi Valley State University, where he received his training in marketing from Tennessee Walls School for Marketing and completed a correspondence course in private investigation from Western Private Investigation School in Los Angeles, California; and

WHEREAS, at an early age, Mr. Neely confessed a hope in Christ at which time he joined First New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, where he remained a faithful member until his death; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Neely was united in matrimony to the former Bettye Parker on June 2, 1963, and to this union two children were born, Debra and Jeffrey; and

WHEREAS, throughout his career, Mr. Neely was employed with Liberty Cash Supermarket, Universal Supply Company, the City of Grenada Fire Department, the Grenada City Council and North Mississippi Rural Legal Services; and

WHEREAS, in addition, Mr. Neely served as President of the Grenada Chapter of the NAACP for 32 years, participating in civil rights marches, demonstrations and meetings all across the State of Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Neely also served as President of the Grenada Concerned Citizen Committee, Vice President of the Grenada County Voter's League, Chairman of the Delta-Hills Headstart Policy Council and was also a member of the Masonic Lodge #89; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend outstanding Mississippians such as Mr. Neely, who dedicated his life to fighting for the civil rights of so many people:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the life and accomplishments of Mr. Jasper Neely, Jr., and express our heartfelt sympathy to his family and friends upon his passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Mr. Jasper Neely, Jr., and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.