House Resolution 92

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING WOODS E. EASTLAND UPON HIS RECENT ELECTION AS CHAIRMAN OF THE NATIONAL COTTON COUNCIL FOR 2005.

WHEREAS, Woods E. Eastland, a Mississippi cooperative executive, was recently elected Chairman of the National Cotton Council for 2005 during the National Cotton Council's (NCC) annual meeting on January 31, 2005; and

WHEREAS, Eastland, who served as NCC's Vice Chairman in 2004 and succeeds Woody Anderson, is President and CEO of the Greenwood-based Staple Cotton Cooperative Association and Staple Cotton Discount Corporation, the oldest farmer-owned cotton marketing cooperative servicing Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee since 1921; and

WHEREAS, a native of Doddsville, Mississippi, Eastland holds a bachelor of arts degree from Vanderbilt University, and a juris doctorate degree from the University of Mississippi School of Law; and

WHEREAS, a licensed lay reader in the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi, Eastland served as a Lieutenant in the Judge Advocate General's Corps for the United States Naval Reserve, practiced law with the Jackson firm of Brunini, Grantham, Grower and Hewes and was a faculty member of the Jackson School of Law prior to his election to serve as Director of Staple Cotton in 1977; and

WHEREAS, in addition to his cooperative work, Eastland is past President and Chairman of Cotton Council International, past member of the Board of Managers of the New York Cotton Exchange, past Director of the Memphis Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis and former member of the Board of Governors of the New York Board of Trade; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend our state's leaders, such as Woods Eastland, whose pleasant demeanor and leadership ability has been of invaluable service to the Farmer's Cooperative of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the success and accomplishments of Woods E. Eastland upon his recent election as Chairman of the National Cotton Council for 2005 and extend our warmest appreciation and support for his continued success as he demonstrates his keen ability to lead his colleagues and serve the people of Mississippi.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Woods E. Eastland and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.