Senate Concurrent Resolution 519

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AWARD-WINNING HOUSING DEVELOPER J.E. CARTER OF CLINTON, MISSISSIPPI, ON THE OCCASION OF HIS 90TH BIRTHDAY.

WHEREAS, J.E. Carter's 90th birthday on September 19, 2005, was more than just a milestone of longevity. It also marked 60 years as an award-winning developer, homebuilder and realtor with a reputation for quality and excellence; and

WHEREAS, Carter, who was born in Texas, began building homes out of necessity. After getting out of the Air Force in 1945, and being newly married, he was seeking a home in the Pearl, Mississippi, area. He took his housing situation into his own hands, bought three acres of land for $750.00, then built and sold his first home. He sold it at a profit, bought more land, built another home and found himself in the building business; and

WHEREAS, his developments in Jackson include Heatherwood, East Manor and Briarcliff. He came to Clinton in 1970, saw an opportunity, and his first development in Clinton was Huntcliff, followed by Cascades. He has built over 700 homes in Clinton; and

WHEREAS, he has received numerous awards during his career. This year he was inducted into the Mississippi Housing Hall of Fame, the highest honor given by the Home Builders Association of Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Carter has been recognized for his land use and environmentally friendly developments, including the Cascades, one of the first planned unit developments in Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Carter was the first Mississippian to receive the Sterling Hammer Award for the best house plan under 1,200 square feet in the United States from the National Association of Home Builders in 1956; and

WHEREAS, in 2000, at the age of 85, Carter was honored as one of the nation's oldest workers by Experience Works, a national, nonprofit organization that provides training and employment services for mature workers; and

WHEREAS, Carter continues to personally supervise all of the construction and land development for his homes. At age 90, his work ethic is the same. Carter feels blessed with his longevity. He grew up in the Great Depression on a farm. He started work when he was 15 years old. From farm work, he went into sales commission work, and in 1942 enlisted in the Army Air Corps to be a pilot. Due to his vision he did not qualify and instead he became an officer in the administration field; and

WHEREAS, not only has he provided quality housing, he has been a tremendous economic generator and civic leader; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we note this landmark event in the life of an individual whose name is synonymous with economic development and civic pride in one of Mississippi's leading communities:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend award-winning housing developer J.E. Carter of Clinton, Mississippi, on the occasion of his 90th birthday, and extend to him and his family the best wishes of the Legislature.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to J.E. Carter and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.