House Concurrent Resolution 107

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING MR. LLOYD FRANKLIN STEPHENS, JR., FOR BEING CHOSEN AS THE 2006 OUTSTANDING CITIZEN OF THE YEAR BY THE CITY OF MENDENHALL, MISSISSIPPI.

WHEREAS, the City of Mendenhall, Mississippi, honored Mr. Lloyd Franklin Stephens, Jr., by choosing him as their 2006 Outstanding Citizen; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Stephens was born to Lloyd Franklin Stephens and Mary Louise Beech Stephens on September 6, 1926; and

WHEREAS, as a homegrown fellow, he graduated from Mendenhall High School, where he was the Drum Major for the Tiger Band; and

WHEREAS, in 1944, he became a student at Hinds Junior College, where he utilized his Drum Major skills to become the Drum Major for Hinds Junior College Band and also played 1st clarinet, which gained him an "Excellent" score at the State Music Contest for playing "The Flight of the Bumble Bee"; and

WHEREAS, driven by a desire to serve his country, Mr. Stephens served in the United States Army from 1945 to 1947 as Private 1st Class in the Philippines; and

WHEREAS, after returning from the army at the age of 22, he bought his father's store, Stephen's Mercantile Company, and for the past 58 years has been the sole proprietor of Lloyd's Style Shop, Stephen's Squire Shop and Stephens of Mendenhall; and

WHEREAS, due to his business acumen, he has served as President of the Mendenhall Chamber of Commerce and for the past six years, has served on the Mississippi Retail Merchants Board of Directors; and

WHEREAS, as a man of faith and conviction, Mr. Stephens is an active member of Mendenhall First Baptist Church, where he has served as Chairman of the Deacons, Director of Sunday School, Chairman of the Pastor Search Committees and various other committees; and

WHEREAS, he is lovingly supported in his many endeavors by his wife, Kathleen, whom he married on August 15, 1948; and

WHEREAS, to this beautiful union, three children were born, Karen Lee Stephens Milling, Christy Ann Stephens Rotenberry and Mary Louise Stephens King; and four grandchildren, Jennifer Christine Rotenberry, Rebecca Kathleen Rotenberry, Natalie Jane Rotenberry and Matthew Stephen King; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to commend outstanding Mississippi citizens, who contribute to the economic development of their community and improve the lives of their neighbors:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend Mr. Lloyd Franklin Stephens, Jr., for being chosen as the 2006 Outstanding Citizen of the Year by the City of Mendenhall, Mississippi.

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