Senate Resolution 1

(As Adopted by Senate)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING BRUCE STEWART OF BILOXI, MISSISSIPPI, FOR HIS COMMITMENT AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE GULF COAST COMMUNITY AND TO THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI.

WHEREAS, Mr. Bruce Stewart of Biloxi, Mississippi, has been a tireless supporter of civic and charitable organizations on the Mississippi Gulf Coast; and

WHEREAS, a West Virginia native, Bruce Stewart moved to Mississippi when he was 17. He joined the Army and returned home a decorated Korean War Veteran. After completing post graduate studies at the University of Southern Mississippi via the GI Bill, Stewart began his career as an educator with Biloxi Public Schools serving as an Industrial Arts Teacher, Principal, Assistant Superintendent and interim Superintendent. He helped found the Boy's Club of Biloxi and has served on their board for 35 years. He was active in the Biloxi Jaycees and was named by them as Biloxi's Outstanding Young Man of the Year in 1968; and

WHEREAS, August 16, 2004, was declared "Bruce Stewart Day" by the Biloxi Kiwanis Club where Stewart was named a George F. Hixson Fellow and presented a Legion of Honor award for 35 years of Kiwanis membership. He has served the club as founding board member, past President, Treasurer and Secretary, Kiwanian of the Year, and has chaired many committees, especially membership recruitment. He was named Outstanding Kiwanian of Division 14 for the 1994-1995 year and has been District Convention Chairman twice; and

WHEREAS, Bruce Stewart's commitment to the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community include the following: Baptist Builder Mission trips to the Ukraine, Argentina, Scotland and twice to Guatemala to build churches; 16 years on the Biloxi Planning Commission; Chairman of Biloxi-First, an educational scholarship foundation; board member of the O'Keefe Foundation; interim Executive Director of the Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce; host to five international exchange students; active life member of American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars; Outstanding Volunteer for the City of Biloxi; Outstanding Citizen of the Year for the Biloxi Lion's Club; member and usher at First Baptist Church of Biloxi; Supervisor of the Habitat For Humanity House, built by his church; member of the Biloxi Taxicab Board; Chairman of Area Council of Boy's and Girl's Clubs of America; Spirit of the Coast Award from Mississippi Coast Chamber, 1993; past board member of Harrison County United Way, 1984, Salvation Army, Harrison County Cancer Crusade; Good Neighbor Award from the National American Legion; Biloxi Chamber of Commerce Director Emeritus Award 2003; Southeastern Area Council Volunteer of the Year 2001; Volunteer of the Year Award 2000; MS Area Council Volunteer of the Year 1999; MS Area Council C.A.R.E. Award 1997; Norman Bess Award 1994; Biloxi's Volunteer of the Year 1993; National Medallion 1989; Man and Youth Award 1985; past President Biloxi Chamber of Commerce; member of American Legion Post 33; past Chairman of Biloxi Planning Commission; Chairman of Kiwanis Club Annual Kids Fishing Rodeo; past Chairman Kiwanis Club Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo; past Chairman Biloxi First "Educational Foundation"; past Chairman MS Association of School Business Officials; Lions Club Outstanding Citizen of Year 1980; Outstanding Young Man of Biloxi 1968; and

WHEREAS, Bruce is a very kind and gentle family man who is always eager to help anyone in need. He has been instrumental in the building of handicap ramps, Habitat for Humanity Homes and churches, locally, and in faraway places such as Ukraine, Argentina, Scotland and Guatemala; and

WHEREAS, Bruce Stewart and his wife, Wanda, are the parents of six children and the grandparents of 10 children, and mentors to many exchange students; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this most extraordinary gentleman whose accomplishments have been instrumental to the well-being of the Gulf Coast Community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend Bruce Stewart of Biloxi, Mississippi, for his commitment and his civic and charitable contributions to the Gulf Coast Community and to the State of Mississippi, and extend to him and his family the best wishes of the Mississippi Senate in his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Bruce Stewart and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.