House Concurrent Resolution 32

(As Adopted by House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE, LEGACY AND POETRY OF MRS. WINIFRED HAMRICK FARRAR AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HER FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HER PASSING.

WHEREAS, Mrs. Winifred Hamrick Farrar, Poet Laureate of Mississippi, who was born in 1923 on a family farm near Collinsville, Mississippi, departed this earthly life on Sunday, November 7, 2010, to enter into eternal rest with her Heavenly Father, rendering great sorrow and loss to her family and friends; and

WHEREAS, a 1945 graduate of the University of Mississippi, Mrs. Farrar earned a master's degree from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1962 and laid the foundation upon which she built her family when she married Robert H. Farrar; and

WHEREAS, having taught English for 30 years in the Meridian Public School System, Mrs. Farrar was the longtime faculty sponsor for the Meridian High School annual, "Reverie," as well as sponsor of Quill and Scroll, International Honorary Society for High School Journalists, and she was an inspiration to her students beyond the walls of the classroom and also throughout their individual lives; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Farrar displayed a true passion to teach, which garnered her much love and respect, and her stylistic and immaculate vernacular for poetry and prose earned her the appointment as Poet Laureate of Mississippi by Governor Charles Clifton "Cliff" Finch on July 31, 1978; and

WHEREAS, the title, Poet Laureate, speaks to the poet's intense support of the art form, their expertise, and willingness to share their knowledge and creativity, and Mrs. Farrar was the state's third appointed and longest serving bearer of the title, succeeding Maude Willard Leet Prenshaw (1963-1971) and Louise Moss Montgomery (1973-1978); and

WHEREAS, in addition to her published works and teaching, Mrs. Farrar was a past President of the Mississippi Poetry Society, served as the Mississippi representative for Voices International, Inc., the World Poetry Society and was a member of several literary organizations; and

WHEREAS, in 2007, Mrs. Farrar wrote the poem, "Treasurers," which was commissioned for presentation to fellow Mississippi native Robin Roberts on the one-year anniversary of Roberts co-anchoring "Good Morning America"; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Farrar received numerous recognitions, including distinguished service citations from World Poetry Society International, World Congress of Poets and the International Poets Academy, as well as being among those listed in "Who's Who in Poetry," "Who's Who in Mississippi" and was selected for "Who's Who in Mississippi Hall of Fame"; and

WHEREAS, though she has traversed the river of life to now stand upon golden heavenly shores in a reunion with her fellow Mississippi literary greats to compare and compose poetic stanzas for the Deity, the legacy of her memory and the significance of her literary contribution will continue to have a far-reaching effect in the lives of her loving survivors, friends and followers; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to honor and commend the life of such a remarkable individual as Mrs. Farrar, whose life and works resounded and echoed a sentiment of pride and esteem in her beloved Mississippi and inspired generations of literary and poetry enthusiasts throughout the state and nation:

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 life, legacy and poetry of Mrs. Winifred Hamrick Farrar and express deepest sympathy to her family and friends upon her passing.

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