MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2005 2nd Extraordinary Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Chaney, Michel, Kirby, Mettetal, Gordon, Burton, Wilemon, Frazier, King, Pickering
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE CIVIC CONTRIBUTIONS OF HARRY R. GILLESPIE OF VICKSBURG, MISSISSIPPI, AND CONGRATULATING HIM ON THE OCCASION OF HIS 100TH BIRTHDAY.
WHEREAS, Harry R. Gillespie of Vicksburg, Mississippi, was born on June 27, 1905, in Palestine, Texas, and will celebrate his 100th birthday on June 27, 2005; and
WHEREAS, Harry is a Mississippian by "choice" not by "chance"; he moved to Vicksburg in 1954 and become Manager of Valley Mills, and has been a Mississippian ever since; and
WHEREAS, Harry graduated from Palestine High School; became a dairy farmer; he was married at 19 years of age to Madge Hanson; their marriage lasted 67 years until the time of Madge's death. Harry and Madge had three children: Hal Gillespie and Susan DeBard Withey, both of whom are now deceased, and John Gillespie, who presently lives in McAllen Texas; they have eight grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, after moving to Vicksburg, he became active in the Vicksburg Little Theater and played the role of father in "Gold in the Hills," performing for many years on the Sprague. He served as President of the Little Theater and was Manager of Cedar Grove for almost five years, when the Little Theater operated Cedar Grove; and
WHEREAS, Harry became a member of the Rotary Club International in Palestine, Texas, in the 1920's, and a member of Vicksburg Rotary in 1954. Harry is past President of Vicksburg Rotary, and served as Chairman of Rotary Information for many years, until 1996. Harry trained new members of Vicksburg Rotary for many years, indoctrinating them in the mission and purpose of Rotary at special sessions held just for those members. Harry's contributions and dedication to Rotary reflect his great love for the organization and its ideals. Harry is, indeed, "Mr. Rotary" to all who know and love him; and
WHEREAS, he married his present wife, Edna Earle Whitaker, on Valentines Day in 1993; and
WHEREAS, Harry has witnessed a great cross-section of American history; Harry's first car was a 1913 Model T Ford; he remembers seeing Buffalo Bill perform in the Wild Bill Cody Show, fringed leather jacket and all, and remembers their first electric bulb and first indoor plumbing; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this landmark in the life of an individual whose civic contributions have brought honor to his community and to his adopted 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 civic contributions of Mr. Harry R. Gillespie of Vicksburg, Mississippi, congratulate him on the occasion of his 100th birthday and extend to him and his family the best wishes of the Legislature.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Harry R. Gillespie and his family and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.