Senate Resolution 2

(As Adopted by Senate)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE HOUSTON, MISSISSIPPI, HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1956 ON THEIR 50TH CLASS REUNION.

WHEREAS, 2006 is the 50th Anniversary of the May graduation of the Houston High School Class of 1956, which will be celebrated on Saturday, November 18, 2006, in Houston, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, the original class of 59 graduates is now reduced to 53. These alumni have distinguished themselves and brought pride and recognition to Houston, Chickasaw County and the State of Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, some of the achievements by the members of this class:

· 32 attended college;

· 21 received bachelor's degrees;

· 9 received advanced degrees;

· 11 became educators;

· There are four engineers, two doctors, an architect, an accountant, a chemist (with patents), a music composer, a geologist, a nurse, a policeman, a minister, a librarian, a school principal, a professional musician, an elected official, perhaps 20 business owners, and several served in the military; and

WHEREAS, in 2003-2004, members of this class designed, obtained financing for, and constructed a Memorial Plaza at the site of the old schoolhouse, which burned down in 1973. The Plaza, which features the original light columns that flanked the front entry of the school, was dedicated in November 2004. The Plaza serves as an outdoor classroom and as a reminder of the long history of educational institutions at the site, dating back to the 1880s, and sits in front of today's Kindergarten building. It is a backdrop for "reunion photographs" for Houston High School classes, and now includes several memorial trees and plaques honoring past teachers; and

WHEREAS, the Houston High School Class of 1956 roster is as follows: Betty Alford, Patricia Atkinson, Sara Alice Blissard, Mary Ellen Blue, Ann Brand, Barbara Kaye Brown, Nancy Burks, Nancy Castle (deceased 2003), Joann Clark, Louise Colbert, Rex Collins & Mary Moore, Nancy Jo Cook, Buddy Cullum, Adolph Davis (deceased 1999), Bill Dendy, Sonny Farr, Donald Gann (deceased), Dorothy Ann Gann, Sue Gann, Bobby Gilbert, Edna Sue Goode, Edward Gore, Henry Griffin, Joyce Griffin, Shelby Jean Higginbotham (deceased), Betty Kilgore, Barbara Kimbrough, Joyce Kimbrough, Russell Kingsley, Billy Joe Langley, Charles Langley, Margaret Linley, Ann Loden, Peggy Marion, Louise McIntosh, John Mihelic (deceased 1999), Byrl Miller (deceased 2001), Bobby Moore, Tommy Murrah, Carl Myatt, Stanley Nabors, Betty Nelson, Kenneth Nichols, Helen Robertson, Marilyn Roberson, Bobby Scott, Hinton Shempert, Glynne Simpson, Cynthia Smith, Ralph Thomas, Mary Grace Thompson, Harrison Upshaw, Sue Vowell, Mava Wimberly, Bill Winters, Darrell Wilson, Vivian Woodruff, Maxine Yarborough; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this landmark event in the lives of an extraordinary group of present and former Mississippians:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Houston, Mississippi, High School Class of 1956 on their 50th Class Reunion, and extend to each member the best wishes of the Mississippi Senate on this auspicious occasion.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the Houston High School Class of 1956 and be made available to the Capital Press Corps.