Senate Concurrent Resolution 588

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE AND DEDICATED SERVICE OF WORLD WAR II VETERAN SHELBY E. NASSAR.

WHEREAS, during World War II many young American men and women went to war and devoted their service and offered their lives to protect our country, our freedom and our way of life; and

WHEREAS, Shelby E. Nassar of Clarksdale, Mississippi, and his two brothers were three of those young men who served in the United States Armed Forces during those eventful years; and

WHEREAS, Shelby Nassar was born to Joe and Wydia Ferris Nassar in Shelby, Mississippi, on October 5, 1922; and

WHEREAS, Shelby Nassar enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard as an Apprentice Seaman on September 29, 1942, and received his training in New Orleans, Louisiana; St. Augustine, Florida; and Groton, Connecticut; and

WHEREAS, Shelby Nassar served aboard the Coast Guard Cutter U.S.S. Tallapoosa on submarine patrol in the Atlantic Ocean protecting U.S. convoy ships sailing to Britain, Russia and other parts of the world from submarine attacks; and

WHEREAS, Shelby Nassar further served aboard the U.S. Army Ship FS314 until he completed his tour of duty and was honorably discharged as a Yeoman Third Class on November 24, 1945; and

WHEREAS, on April 13, 1946, Shelby Nassar married Mary Jane McCombs and their 53-year marriage (until Mary Jane's death in 1999) was blessed with three children; namely, Shelby Thomas Nassar, Sheryl Ann Nassar and Joseph Frank Nassar; and

WHEREAS, as a World War II Veteran, Shelby Nassar has always supported and promoted the recognition of the patriotic services of all Veterans and in particular the Mississippi recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor; and

WHEREAS, in 1999, Shelby Nassar contacted his State Senator, provided him with research and documentation, and requested legislation to construct and dedicate a monument recognizing Mississippi recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor, which subsequently resulted in the introduction and passage of Senate Bill No. 3024 in the 2000 Regular Session which authorized the construction and dedication of such monument; and

WHEREAS, the Mississippi Veterans Monument Commission readily supported including the proposed monument in their on-going plans for a Mississippi Veterans Monument; and

WHEREAS, at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 10, 2001, a special ceremony was held on the grounds of the Woolfolk Building located West of the Capitol in downtown Jackson dedicating the Mississippi Veterans Monument and the Mississippi recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor Monument; and

WHEREAS, during that special ceremony, Shelby Nassar was recognized for his role and untiring effort in support of the construction and dedication of the Congressional Medal of Honor Monument; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the Legislature to recognize and honor the accomplishments and achievements of citizens of this state, and especially our Veterans who have given so much for our state and our country:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize and honor the life and dedicated service of World War II Veteran Shelby Nassar and also express our appreciation for his role and support in the construction and dedication of the Mississippi recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor Monument.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be presented to Shelby Nassar and his family, and to the Clarksdale Press Register.