House Resolution 12

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING COLUMBUS PRESTON HOLMES AND PAULINE JENETTA THOMPSON HOLMES ON THE OCCASION OF THEIR 66TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY.

WHEREAS, Columbus Preston Holmes and Pauline Jenetta Thompson have cherished the love and sanctity of their holy union for 66 years, having entered into holy matrimony on July 11, 1943; and

WHEREAS, both Mr. and Mrs. Holmes are natives and lifelong residents of Mound Bayou in Bolivar County, Mississippi, where they received their early formal educations and their Christian teaching; and

WHEREAS, after acquiring his formal education, Mr. Holmes began working for the United States Postal Service in 1938, retiring after 39 years of dedicated service; and

WHEREAS, also a courageous soldier, he served in the United States Army during World War II (WWII) from 1944 through 1947 and is one of only two surviving WWII veterans in Mound Bayou; and

WHEREAS, always a public servant, following his retirement from the post office he worked as a relocation officer for the Mississippi Highway Department for over 10 years; and

WHEREAS, after acquiring her formal education, Mrs. Holmes began her professional career as an educator, working for 24 years in several school districts and institutions in the State of Mississippi, including Mound Bayou High School, Rust College, Rose Hill High School, and East Side High School; and

WHEREAS, after retiring from her teaching career, she served as a nutritionist for 17 years at Delta Health Center in Mound Bayou; and

WHEREAS, both Mr. and Mrs. Holmes have played an active role in their church, Greater Bethel A.M.E. Church in Mound Bayou; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Holmes has served as Sunday School superintendent for over 40 years, church secretary for over 25 years, trustee for over 25 years, steward for over 25 years and lay organization president for 10 years; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Holmes organized the Young People's Department in 1954 and served as director for over 20 years, organized Bethel's Debutante Masters Commission and served locally for 30 years, organized the Central North Conference Debutante Master and served as commissioner; and

WHEREAS, she has been active within the church by serving as cathedral choir director for over 40 years, as assistant Sunday School Teacher, as Chairman of the Commission on Evangelism, as Director of Lay Activities, as a member of the Commission on Christian Education, as a member of the Missionary Society, as a steward and as a class leader; and

WHEREAS, Mr. and Mrs. Holmes have held important positions in various state, county and local civic activities; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Holmes has participated in the following civic activities: Selective Service Board for Bolivar County where he was the only African-American member, charter member of the Montgomery Green American Legion Post, Post Commander of the Montgomery Green American Legion Post, Past President and current member of the Mound Bayou Housing Authority, Past President and current Membership Chairman of the Mound Bayou Chapter of the AARP, and a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Holmes has been involved in the following civic activities: President of the Mound Bayou Civic Club, member of the Knights and Daughters of Tabor, member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., President of the Mound Bayou American Legion Auxiliary, and the first African American in the State of Mississippi to hold the position of President of the American Legion Auxiliary for the State of Mississippi, making her the second African American in the nation to hold such a position; and

WHEREAS, as a testament to her leadership and community involvement, Mrs. Holmes was inducted into the Southern Rural Black Women's Initiative Hall of Fame in 2005; and

WHEREAS, Mr. and Mrs. Holmes raised six outstanding children, and these children have blessed them with 11 beautiful grandchildren and five beautiful great-grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to commend and congratulate remarkable Mississippians such as Preston and Pauline Holmes as they celebrate their 66th wedding anniversary and set a fine example of what true commitment really means:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Columbus Preston Holmes and Pauline Jenetta Thompson Holmes on the occasion of their 66th wedding anniversary, and extend heartfelt wishes for many more years of happiness, faith and love.

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