House Resolution 28

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE SERVICE AND CAREER OF MR. WILLIE B. PATTON AND CONGRATULATING HIM UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT FROM ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY.

WHEREAS, for the past 30 years, Mr. Willie B. Patton has worked diligently as an agronomy specialist with the Alcorn State University Extension Program (ASU-EP); and

WHEREAS, a 1963 graduate of Saltillo High School, Mr. Patton furthered his education at Itawamba Community College, receiving an associates degree in 1965; Blue Mountain College from 1966 to 1968; Mississippi State University, where he received his bachelor's and master's degrees in 1970 and 1972 respectively; and

WHEREAS, over the course of his working career, which spans more than 38 years, Mr. Patton has worked with the Tippah County Hospital, Southern Baptist Home Mission Board, Mississippi State University Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department, the Mississippi State University Agronomy Department, Northwest Mississippi Experiment Station and the Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Patton's insightful and perceptive intuitiveness has allowed him to make substantial gains for the agronomy program at the ASU-EP, including: having planned, developed and coordinated agronomy programs for small farms in 14 counties in southwest Mississippi; developed and conducted programs on catfish production; development and operation of a wholesale farmer's market at Farmer's Central Market; and oversaw the reopening and operation of the Small Farm Incubator Program in three counties; and

WHEREAS, a vital asset to the ASU-EP, Mr. Patton is responsible for the program's receiving several grants to fund various projects, including: a $99,000.00 SARE Grant to revive the syrup industry; having written the first grant and initiated the Risk Management Program of the ASU-EP from 1995 to 1998; organizing and advising the Mississippi Syrup Producers and Processors Association; and worked to establish the first Sustainable Agriculture Stakeholder Advisory Committee and Conference between the ASU-EP and the MSU-ES; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Patton was instrumental in the development and production of green peanuts and sweet corn in the State of Mississippi. Additionally, he marketed the green peanuts and sweet corn with high production while working with small farmers; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Patton worked with farmers in Southwest Mississippi to establish and charter the Southwest Farmers Association, a very active organization for farmers in Southwest Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, a member of the 4-H Club, FFA, several livestock, dairy products and poultry judging teams, Mr. Patton is also active in his church, Pleasant Green Baptist Church, in addition to several other professional organizations, including: Mississippi Beekeepers Association, National Sweet Sorghum Producers and Processors Association, Mississippi Syrup Producers and Processors Association, Claiborne County Cattlemen's Association, Mississippi Cattlemen's Association and the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize the diligence of such a hardworking and multitalented individual as Mr. Patton, whose work and service has been a great asset to the ASU-EP:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the service and career of Mr. Willie B. Patton, congratulate him upon the occasion of his retirement and extend our warmest wishes for continued success in all his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mr. Patton and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.