MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2005 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Carmichael, Burton, Lee (35th), Brown, Browning, Butler, Chaney, Clarke, Davis, Dawkins, Dearing, Doxey, Gordon, Harden, Harvey, Hewes, Hyde-Smith, Jackson (15th), Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Jordan, Kirby, Lee (47th), Little, Mettetal, Michel, Nunnelee, Pickering, Simmons, Thames, Thomas, Walls, White, Wilemon
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE SUCCESSFUL MUSIC CAREER AND CIVIC DEDICATION OF COUNTRY MUSIC SUPERSTAR AND MISSISSIPPI NATIVE FAITH HILL, CHAIRPERSON OF THE NEW MISSISSIPPI ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT CENTER (MAEC).
WHEREAS, country music superstar Faith Hill has become the new honorary chairperson for the Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Center (MAEC), to be located in Meridian, Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Hill, a native of Star, Mississippi, has sold nearly 30 million records worldwide and has celebrated thirteen #1 chart positions and eighteen #1 videos. Her last two releases, 1999's Breathe and 2002's CRY both debuted at #1 on Billboard's Top Album Chart and Country Chart. Her sixth studio album is slated for release later this year. Ms. Hill is a multiple Grammy Award winner, Country Music Association, Academy of Country Music, American Music Award, People's Choice Award-winning musician; and
WHEREAS, Faith brings a national awareness to the project, stating "I am proud to be from Mississippi, and this is an exciting time for our state. I am looking forward to chairing the honorary committee for this crucial project for the State of Mississippi. It is important to not only celebrate our great heritage, but to look to the future and the realization of the MAEC"; and
WHEREAS, the Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Center will celebrate the lives and works of the state's most accomplished artists, while nurturing the creative genius of new generations. It will feature a Hall of Fame, a lakeside amphitheater, a concert hall, an artists-in-residence village, a Choctaw cultural center and support facilities such as restaurants, shops and broadcasting studios. Ms. Hill has been a member of the Center's Honorary Committee since its inception in 2002. Other members of that committee include Lance Bass, Jimmy Buffett, Morgan Freeman, John Grisham, B.B. King, Leontyne Price, Charley Pride, Britney Spears, previous Chair Sela Ward and Jim Henson's Kermit the Frog; and
WHEREAS, Faith Hill's ten-year career has marked one of the entertainment industry's most successful and steady climbs to the top. Collectively her two top releases have sold in excess of 13 million copies to date. Her ability to draw television audiences nationwide is evidenced by the success of her own network television specials; she continues to grace the cover of an eclectic mix of magazines; she performed the National Anthem at Super Bowl XXXIV and has also performed at almost every major award show, and Faith has starred in numerous motion pictures; and
WHEREAS, Faith is a most visible talent despite her business schedule and family obligations (she is married to country star Tim McGraw and the couple have three girls, Maggie, Audrey and Gracie); and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the unparalleled vocal talent and popularity of this Mississippian whose success, in addition to her music business, has brought positive recognition to our state:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the successful music career of country music superstar and Mississippi native, Faith Hill, and for her role as Ambassador for the Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Center in Meridian, Mississippi, and extend to her the greetings and best wishes of the Legislature on her future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Faith Hill and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.