MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2006 1st Extraordinary Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Chaney, White, King, Carmichael, Davis, Clarke, Jackson (15th), Brown, Kirby, Pickering, Burton, Flowers, Gordon, Michel, Frazier
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE DEDICATED PUBLIC SERVICE OF GORDON A. COTTON, LONGTIME CURATOR AND DIRECTOR OF THE OLD COURTHOUSE MUSEUM IN VICKSBURG, MISSISSIPPI, ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT.
WHEREAS, Gordon A. Cotton, a native of Yokena, Warren County, Mississippi, grew up in the finest traditions of the South, attending public schools, then colleges for his bachelor's and master's degrees, and became a history teacher so that the stories of the American people could be known, respected, and preserved, and serve an instructive purpose to us all; and
WHEREAS, Gordon A. Cotton later became a journalist, known widely for his portraits and narratives about both famous Mississippians and Mississippians who should be famous; and
WHEREAS, thirty years ago, Gordon A. Cotton accepted and has served faithfully in his destined career as Curator and Director of the Old Courthouse Museum - Eva W. Davis Memorial in Vicksburg, Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, the museum is housed in the former Warren County Courthouse, left vacant after county business operations were moved across Cherry Street in the early 1940s. The building dates to 1860 and was the site of the city's formal surrender to Union forces on July 4, 1863. In addition to legal, land and other records available to researchers, collections housed in the museum include artifacts from pre-Columbian Mississippi, up to and through the pioneer days. One room is dedicated to Vicksburg's history of the War Between The States, and a room off the restored courtroom on the second floor is dedicated to Jefferson Davis, a resident of Warren County when he was elected Confederate President; and
WHEREAS, the Old Courthouse Museum - Eva W. Davis Memorial, designated as a National Landmark, and the Vicksburg National Military Park are the area's top tourist attractions; and
WHEREAS, Gordon A. Cotton has continued to write, both a weekly newspaper column centered on Warren County and Mississippi History; and numerous books on a variety of topics; and
WHEREAS, in each and every writing, Gordon A. Cotton has shown a respect and admiration for the people who, as individuals, helped their neighbors, their state and their nation; and
WHEREAS, Gordon A. Cotton has been an exceptional Ambassador for Warren County and Mississippi, often quoted and appearing in national publications and films related to Mississippi History; and
WHEREAS, Gordon A. Cotton has been previously honored and recognized by a multitude of organizations, including the Mississippi Historical Society, the Mississippi Museums Association and the Mississippi Department of Archives and History; and
WHEREAS, Gordon A. Cotton is widely known as a person of good humor and sincerity, as a skilled craftsman and dedicated worker, as a Deacon in his church and as a compassionate and faithful friend to hundreds of people:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That
we do hereby recognize and applaud the effective public service Gordon A. Cotton has provided through the years in both his exemplary citizenship and scholarly work in the preservation and in the presentation of the history of the people of Mississippi, and extend to him and his family the best wishes of the Legislature on the occasion of his retirement after 30 years as Curator and Director of the Old Courthouse Museum - Eva W. Davis Memorial in Vicksburg, Mississippi.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED That this resolution be presented to Gordon A. Cotton and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.