Senate Resolution 4

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE OF RADIO HOST, GOSPEL PIONEER AND CIVIC ACTIVIST BRUCE PAYNE OF JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI, AND EXPRESSING THE SYMPATHY OF THE SENATE.

WHEREAS, longtime radio host and gospel pioneer Bruce Payne, age 75, died Wednesday, October 2, 2005; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Payne was a Vicksburg native born on September 7, 1930; he was one of the first black radio announcers in the state. He was Director of Public Affairs and Journalist for radio stations WOAD and WJMI in Jackson, Mississippi, and was known as "the Dean" of gospel music; and

WHEREAS, with a career that spanned more than 50 years, Payne worked at Jackson stations such as WOAD and WZRX-1590 AM. He was also a radio host in Alabama and Louisiana. His longest stint was at the black-operated WOKJ in Jackson, Mississippi, from 1961 to 1988, where among other jobs, he served as a news reporter covering civil rights activities in the 1960s; and

WHEREAS, Payne also worked as a music promoter in the 1960s and 1970s, bringing the likes of The Staple Singers to town. In honor of his music promotion career, the annual Jackson Music Awards will memorialize Payne with the Statewide Announcer Award, which will be attached to the award's title; and

WHEREAS, his education began at St. Mary's Catholic High School in Vicksburg, Mississippi, where he graduated in 1948. He attended Miles College in Birmingham, Alabama, where he received a B.S. degree in Business Administration in 1960. He has done further study at Belhaven College. He received an Honorary Doctorate of Humanities degree from McKinley Theological Seminary in 1977; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Payne was a member of the Pratt Memorial United Methodist Church in Jackson, Mississippi, where he served as Chairman of the Trustee Board, and Secretary of the Methodist Men. He was a Mason, Shriner, Secretary of the Independent Progressive Club, NAACP, Elks, charter member of the Jackson Business League, member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Salt & Pepper Club, and a board member of the Jackson Advocate, the Urban League and the Capitol Boys Club; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Payne's awards include: American Legion Distinguished Service, Shriners Certificate of Merit, VFW Distinguished and Meritorious Awards, National Business League Award for Outstanding Service and a Certificate of Appreciation from Governor William Waller in 1975. He received the Tougaloo College Distinguished Service Award in 1983, and in 1984, was honored with an award in his name: The Bruce Payne Journalism Award. He has received the WOKJ Employee of the Year Award & Gospel Disc Jockey of the Year Award three times at the Gospel Music Awards. His most recent awards include: United Negro College Fund "Beautiful People Award," and the United Negro College Fund Volunteer Service Award. In 1988, he received an award for continuous community involvement on behalf of older citizens given by the Mississippi Council on Aging; and

WHEREAS, Payne is survived by his wife, Vivian Thompson Payne and three children, Shannon, Charles and Charita; and

WHEREAS, it is with sadness that we note the passing of this respected citizen and community leader:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the life of radio host, gospel music pioneer and civic activist Bruce Payne of Vicksburg, Mississippi, and express the sympathy of the Senate on his passing.

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