House Resolution 51

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING MR. DAVID N. MCDONALD FOR BEING A RECIPIENT OF THE BLUE CROSS & BLUE SHIELD MISSISSIPPI AGELESS HEROES AWARD FOR 2004.

WHEREAS, Mr. David N. McDonald, age 81, and a resident of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, has been selected as a statewide honoree as a 2004 Mississippi Ageless Hero for his community involvement; and

WHEREAS, for his courage, resourcefulness and exemplary action in capturing 60 German prisoners of war in World War II, as a young Second Lieutenant, and his courage at the Battle of the Bulge, Mr. McDonald was awarded the Bronze Star, and upon his discharge in 1946 he had attained the rank of Captain and was presented the Purple Heart; and

WHEREAS, following his military discharge, Mr. McDonald worked in his family's lumber business and later opened McDonald Flooring, gaining a reputation as "one of the most accommodating businessmen ever known"; and

WHEREAS, for his generous contribution of his time to make Hancock County a better place in which to live, work and rear a family, the Hancock County Chamber of Commerce named him Citizen of the Year in 1993; and

WHEREAS, perhaps Mr. McDonald's most unselfish work is his 31 years of service on the Gulf Coast Economic Development Council, on which he is the longest serving member in the council's 40-year history and has served as president for the last 11 years; and

WHEREAS, under his leadership, the development council has worked to improve the success of the Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission in recruiting industries to Hancock County; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize an individual, such as Mr. David N. McDonald, who exhibits the very best spirit and vitality of our nation's seniors while helping his community through volunteering and inspiring others:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Mr. David N. McDonald for being a recipient of the Blue Cross & Blue Shield Mississippi Ageless Heroes Award for 2004.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mr. David N. McDonald and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.