Senate Resolution 59

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE CAREER OF MUSIC EDUCATOR ELAINE COX OF GAUTIER, MISSISSIPPI, AND CONGRATULATING HER ON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT.

WHEREAS, Elaine H. Cox, respected elementary music educator for the Pascagoula School District, and wife of Lofton Cox, is retiring after 30 years of dedicated service to the children of Jackson County and the Mississippi Gulf Coast; and

WHEREAS, Elaine H. Cox attended Belhaven College and received a Bachelor of Music Education Degree from the University of Southern Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, she began her career at South Elementary School in Pascagoula, Mississippi in 1974. She taught at Gautier Elementary School from 1977-2000 and Martin Bluff Elementary School from 2000 to present; and

WHEREAS, she is a member of the Music Educators National Conference and the Mississippi Music Educators Association where she served as Treasurer in the Elementary Division. She served as Chairperson of the Mississippi Elementary Honor Choir in 1996 and 1997; and

WHEREAS, she has directed numerous musical productions with students throughout her 30 years. She has been active in numerous school/parent organizations such as the PTA, Band Parents and High School Chorus Parents Association. She organized and worked with 6th grade chorus for the Pascagoula School District. She organized and worked with Gautier Community 6th Grade Chorus and has chaired PTA Cultural Arts and Talent Shows; and

WHEREAS, Elaine was selected "Educator of the Year" by the Gautier Jaycees in 1981, "Teacher of the Year" by Gautier Elementary PTA in 1986, "Teacher of the Year" by the Pacagoula City Council in 1987, "Teacher of the Year" by Gautier Elementary School faculty in 1988, "Teacher of the Year" by Gautier Elementary School PTA in 1995 and "Teacher of the Year" by Martin Bluff Elementary School faculty in 2003; and

WHEREAS, she is a 27-year resident of Gautier, Mississippi. She and husband Lofton have one daughter, Kimberly, a student at the University of Southern Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, she was selected to serve as the Mullet Queen at the Annual Gautier Mullet Festival in 2000. She is active with the music ministry at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Gautier; and

WHEREAS, she has touched the lives of many students in her 30 years as an educator in the public schools and as a private piano instructor, and it is with great pride that we recognize the career of this dedicated music educator who has brought honor to her school, her community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we hereby commend the career of veteran music educator Elaine Cox of Gautier, Mississippi, and congratulate her on the occasion of her retirement after 30 years of dedicated service in the public schools, and extend to her and her family the best wishes of the Senate on their future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Elaine Cox and her family, forwarded to the Superintendent of the Pascagoula School District and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.