House Resolution 4

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE BRAVERY AND SELFLESSNESS OF JOE BIGGS, SR., DURING HURRICANE KATRINA.

WHEREAS, Joe Biggs, Sr., of Escatawpa, Mississippi, leaving his wife and children in a vacant gas station on higher ground, set off wading in flood waters to save his neighborhood; and

WHEREAS, it was in those few hours on August 29, 2005, when the residents did not know if the water would ever stop rising that Biggs became a hero along Wisteria Drive; and

WHEREAS, combing the neighborhood in his 14-foot aluminum skiff, Biggs rescued Emma Jean Madere and Stormy Madere, her 37-year-old mentally challenged daughter, who initially decided to wait out the storm; and

WHEREAS, described as always having been a good neighbor, this husband and father of six, has always been willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need; and

WHEREAS, wanting to ensure that everyone in his Mimosa

Park neighborhood was safe before he and his family left, Biggs, convinced that someone needed to help his neighbors, decided it should be him; and

WHEREAS, Biggs throughout his 15 years of helping his neighbors was nothing short of helpful, even in the looming dangers posed by Katrina's fury and aftermath, as he saved seven people with his skiff; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize such selfless acts of kindness as evidenced by a man of Mr. Biggs' caliber:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the bravery and selflessness of Joe Biggs, Sr., during Hurricane Katrina and extend our warmest and most heartfelt wishes for the restoration of a life of normality.