MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2009 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representatives Buck (72nd), Clarke, Banks, Buck (5th), Cockerham, Coleman (65th), Evans (70th), Gardner, Smith (27th), Bailey, Harrison, Johnson
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE CAREER AND SERVICE OF DR. JIMMIE JAMES, JR., RENDERED TO JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY AS CHAIRMAN OF THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT AND AS THE MOST NOTABLE VOICE BEHIND THE "SONIC BOOM" OF THE SOUTH, THE JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY MARCHING BAND, AND CONGRATULATING HIM UPON HIS RETIREMENT.
WHEREAS, after 49 years as a high school band director at Earl Travillion Attendance Center in Hattiesburg, Professor of Music and Chairman of the Music Department for Jackson State University, Dr. Jimmie James, Jr., will celebrate the occasion of his retirement on April 18, 2009; and
WHEREAS, a native of Hattiesburg, Dr. James is the eldest of six children born to the late Jimmie James, Sr., and Annie Mae James, and set the example for excellence and success whereby his younger siblings could pattern themselves, having received his bachelor of music education from Jackson State University, master's degree from the University of Wisconsin and Ph.D. from the University of Southern Mississippi, becoming the university's first African-American recipient of the degree; and
WHEREAS, during his tenure at Jackson State University, officially designated Mississippi's urban university, Dr. James has been a man of many talents, serving in a myriad of capacities, in addition to his roles as Professor of Music and Chairman of the Music Department, including: director of music activities, assistant band director, coordinator of the graduate music program, director of the concert band and director of the brass ensemble; and
WHEREAS, for the past 30 years, Dr. James has showcased his versatility by serving as perhaps the most recognized commentator behind any university band in the nation, relaying with stylistic precision and prolific pizzazz, the intricate moves and melodiously harmonic sounds of the "Sonic Boom" of the South, the Jackson State University Marching Band; and
WHEREAS, with music intrinsically ingrained into the fabric of his existence, Dr. James has long been active in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, where he was the first connectional director of music for the church and a member of the Commission on Worship and Liturgy which organized the AMEC Bicentennial Hymnal, and he now serves as Historiographer and Connectional Director of Music Emeritus of the Music and Christian Arts Ministry; and
WHEREAS, presently the Minister of Music at the Pearl Street A.M.E. Church where he also serves as a member of the steward board and is a former member of the General Board of the A.M.E. Church, Dr. James has functioned as director of the highly successful Annual Church Music Workshop of America sponsored by Jackson State University and the Eighth Episcopal District of the A.M.E. Church since its inception in 1977; and
WHEREAS, undoubtedly a wealth of knowledge and musical inclination, a deeper examination of Dr. James' treasure trove of talent not only reveals his innate ability as an arranger, composer and lyricist, but also unveils his authoring and editorial skills, as he has authored two books, Organizing and Administering the A.M.E. Church Music Program and Organizing the Church Music Ministry for the 21st Century; coauthored, Praising God with Instruments, African Methodist Evangelistic Network Manual and The Mississippi Black Bankers and Their Institutions, which he coauthored with his brothers, Arthur and Robert James; contributed to the books, Methods and Perspectives of Urban Music Education and Songs of Praise; has served as music editor for the A.M.E. Christian Recorder; and has served two terms on the Editorial Board of The Journal of Black Sacred Music; and
WHEREAS, past Sire Archon of Beta Gamma Boule of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity and member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Dr. James is a former member of the Board of Directors of the Jackson State University National Alumni Association, is active in Optimist International, served as a member of the Board of Directors of the National Association for the Study and Performance of African-American Music, is active in MENC, has presented at the National In-Service Conference of the National Association of Schools of Music, the Music Educators National Conference and the National Black Music Caucus Professional Conference; and
WHEREAS, an experienced evaluator for the National Association of Schools of Music, James has served as a member of the Southern Division-MENC Planning Committee, as past president, member of the Board of Directors and Governmental Relations Coordinator for the College Division of The Mississippi Music Educators Association (MMEA), served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Mississippi Alliance for Arts Education and served as Convention Chair for the 1995 Mississippi Arts Education Convention, becoming the first African American to serve in this capacity; and
WHEREAS, for his incessantly selfless commitment to Jackson State University, its students and to music Dr. James has received numerous honors, commendation and awards, including: being honored by the Hattiesburg Public School District, the City of Jackson, the National Association for the Study and Performance of African-American Music and honored by the University when tapped to deliver the 1992 Summer Commencement Address; having his biography listed in International Who's Who in Music, Personalities of the South, Who's Who Among America's Teachers; honored as one of two recipients of the 2007 "Living Legend in Church Music" Award at the annual Ministers' Conference and Choir Directors' Organists' Guild Workshop at Hampton University; and inducted into the Jackson State University National Alumni Association Hall of Fame in 2008; and
WHEREAS, throughout his life and career successes, Dr. James has relied upon his faith in God and the love and support of his family, who are his driving motivational forces, serving as a catalyst which inspired him to the level of greatness he has attained, including: his wife, the former Carrie Green, also a retired educator; son, Michael Renwick; and granddaughter, Ryan Michelle; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to honor the diligence of educators, such as Dr. James, whose career serves as an example to all citizens of the State of Mississippi and whose legacy of service is exemplified by fairness, perseverance, prudent judgment and great music:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the remarkable career and services of Dr. Jimmie James, Jr., congratulate him upon his retirement, express deepest appreciation to him for the hard work and many sacrifices he made to mold the minds and enhance the futures of the educable youth and young adults of our state and extend best wishes for continued success in all of his future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Dr. James, to the Jackson State University Music Department and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.