MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2007 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representative Ishee, Broomfield, Compretta, Dedeaux, Fredericks, Guice, Hamilton (109th), Janus, Palazzo, Patterson, Peranich, Read, Simpson, Upshaw, Wells-Smith, Zuber
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE GULFPORT HIGH SCHOOL ORCHESTRA UPON RECEIVING INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION FROM THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY AND RECEIVING AN INVITATION TO PERFORM IN BERLIN.
WHEREAS, the Gulfport High School Orchestra; Billy Ulmer, Director of Orchestra Activities; orchestra staff members, Jorge Orozco, Daniel Martinez, Russell Sample and Maria Montano; Gulfport School Superintendent, Glen East; and the Gulfport School District Board of Trustees have received international recognition from the Federal Republic of Germany by being invited to perform in Berlin and participate in an international cultural exchange program with Germany; and
WHEREAS, the Federal Republic of Germany, through the Glory of Baroque Dresden Exhibit held in Mississippi in 2004, and the German relief efforts after Hurricane Katrina, became aware of the Gulfport High School Orchestra and the superb level and quality of the organization; and
WHEREAS, the Federal Republic of Germany, through the theme "music helps," desired to promote and partner cultural activities with the Gulf Region after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in order to show good will and friendship toward the United States and the Gulf Region; and
WHEREAS, Billy Ulmer, Director of the Gulfport High School Orchestra, traveled to Berlin in December 2005, as an official guest of the German Government to discuss the possibility of a cultural exchange with Germany, and met with German officials, Herr Karsten Voigt, Coordinator of German-American Relations, Dr. Anna Elizabeth Prinz, Directorate General of the German Foreign Offices, officials at the American Embassy in Berlin, students and staff members of the Carl Bechstein-Gymnasium; and
WHEREAS, Hans-Joerg Brunner, German Consulate General for the southeastern United States, visited the Gulfport School District on January 26, 2006, and delivered an official invitation from the Federal Republic of Germany for members of the Gulfport High School Orchestra to perform in Berlin and participate in a cultural exchange with the students of the Carl Bechstein-Gymnasium in the Berlin-Erkner area; and
WHEREAS, the Gulfport High School Orchestra will act as Good Will Ambassadors from the United States, the State of Mississippi and the City of Gulfport through its excellence in performance while in Germany; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend excellence, especially when evidenced by the exceptionally high caliber of students and teachers of our state:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Gulfport High School Orchestra, Conductor Billy Ulmer, Superintendent Glen East and the Gulfport School District Board of Trustees for bringing international recognition to the United States, the State of Mississippi and the City of Gulfport by promoting excellence in musical performance and receiving an invitation from the Federal Republic of Germany to perform and participate in a cultural exchange program with Germany.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Billy Ulmer, Superintendent of Schools, Glen East, the Gulfport School District Board of Trustees and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.