House Resolution 42

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE OUTSTANDING ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF DR. RICHARD HOLMES, THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN TO ENROLL AT MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY.

WHEREAS, Dr. Richard Holmes, the first African American to enroll at Mississippi State University (MSU) has made many outstanding academic and professional accomplishments; and

WHEREAS, born on February 17, 1944, in Chicago to his loving parents, Horace and Minnie Holmes, Dr. Holmes was reared in Starkville, Mississippi, by Ms. Eliza Hunter, a family friend, known as his beloved "grandmother"; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Holmes, who was taught the importance of honesty, faith and receiving an education, graduated from segregated Henderson High School in 1963 and afterwards attended Wiley College in Texas before transferring to MSU; and

WHEREAS, on Sunday, June 19, 1965, over 41 years ago, Dr. Holmes enrolled at MSU where through his bravery and perseverance opened the door for other minorities to receive an education from not only MSU but also other public schools; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Holmes, a man of resolve, graduated from MSU in 1969 after taking night and correspondence classes due to financial constraints; and

WHEREAS, after receiving his degree, Dr. Holmes dutifully served in the United States Army for two years and afterwards returned to MSU and completed a master's degree in microbiology and nutrition in 1973; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Holmes went on to fulfill his dream of becoming a medical doctor and finished medical school at Michigan State University in 1977 and helped those in need for 23 years as an emergency room doctor in Birmingham, Alabama; and

WHEREAS, after returning to Columbus, Mississippi, in 2003, along with his lovely wife, Judie, Dr. Holmes was hired as a campus physician by his alma mater, MSU, where he touches the lives of students and serves as a role model and mentor; and

WHEREAS, as a testament of the campus and medical career achievements of Dr. Holmes, MSU named its cultural diversity center after him, which speaks volumes of the monumental contributions that he has made in the field of medicine, as well as culturally; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend the excellence of an individual such as Dr. Richard Holmes whose groundbreaking academic and professional contributions have positively affected this great state as a whole:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the outstanding accomplishments of Dr. Richard Holmes and extend warmest wishes for much success in all his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Dr. Richard Holmes and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.