MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2004 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representative Dickson, Coleman (65th), Banks, Broomfield, Burnett, Capps, Carlton, Clark, Clarke, Coleman (29th), Ellis, Espy, Flaggs, Fleming, Fredericks, Gibbs, Green, Harrison, Hines, Holloway, Martinson, Mayo, Myers, Peranich, Perkins, Rogers (14th), Scott, Stevens, Thomas, Upshaw, West, Whittington
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF MILDRED D. TAYLOR AND RECOGNIZING APRIL 2, 2004, AS "MILDRED D. TAYLOR DAY" IN MISSISSIPPI.
WHEREAS, Mildred D. Taylor, one of the United States' foremost writers for young people and a native Mississippian, will return home to the great State of Mississippi for a celebration of her work and the statewide proclamation and acknowledgement of "Mildred D. Taylor Day" on April 2, 2004; and
WHEREAS, beginning with her first book, Song of the Trees, in 1975 and Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, winner of the 1977 Newberry Medal, the most prestigious honor in children's literature, Ms. Taylor has written nine celebrated books about African-American life in Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, for her literary works, Ms. Taylor has received numerous awards, including being the recipient of the first Council on Interracial Books for Children Award, the New York Times Outstanding Book of the Year Award, three Coretta Scott King Author Awards, the Christopher Award and the American Library Association's Best Book for Young Adults Award, among others; and
WHEREAS, in October 2003, she was named laureate of the inaugural $25,000.00 NSK Neustadt Prize for Children's Literature, awarded by the University of Oklahoma and its international quarterly World Literature Today; and
WHEREAS, born in Jackson, Mississippi, but raised and educated in Toledo, Ohio, Ms. Taylor graduated from the University of Toledo in 1965, where after she joined the Peace Corps, she spent two years in Ethiopia before returning to the United States to enroll in the University of Colorado in pursuit of her master's degree in journalism; and
WHEREAS, the 1997 recipient of the National Council for Teachers of English's ALAN Award for her outstanding contributions to the field of adolescent literature, Ms. Taylor's visit will mark the return to the place where her life and work began, a Mississippi that no longer celebrates prejudice, but embraces her works, and honors her life and her family; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend outstanding individuals such as Ms. Taylor, whose life's experiences as an African-American author with a strong sense of self and fervent ties to Mississippi has allowed her to convey a message of hope, faith, strength, love and family to countless millions around the world:
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 accomplishments of Mildred D. Taylor and recognize April 2, 2004, as "Mildred D. Taylor Day" in Mississippi.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mildred D. Taylor and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.