House Resolution 16

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING MRS. LEOLA DILLARD ON THE OCCASION OF HER 100TH BIRTHDAY.

WHEREAS, Mrs. Leola Dillard, born in Yazoo County, Mississippi, on February 6, 1912, will celebrate her 100th birthday on February 6, 2012; and

WHEREAS, a virtuous woman among countless individuals to bear the title as a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Mrs. Dillard has a worth that far exceeds the price of rubies, as she has withstood the tests of time and abounded in wisdom and knowledge; and

WHEREAS, having been blessed to experience a life of love and happiness, Mrs. Dillard united in holy matrimony to the late Swayze Dillard, and together they were blessed with nine children; and

WHEREAS, helping anyone in any manner she could, Mrs. Dillard was a charter member and first President of Yazoo City Community Civic Club, an organization that aims to engage at-risk children by providing them with activities, scholarships and community service opportunities; and

WHEREAS, serving as a voice for her race, Mrs. Dillard was the first African-American employee at the Yazoo office of the Mississippi State Employment Service; and

WHEREAS, a true advocate for young people, Mrs. Dillard was instrumental in establishing a community playground, summer work and recreation program for children in the Brickyard Hill neighborhood, and the park was dedicated and named The Leola Dillard Community Park in her honor in May 2003 by the Yazoo City Mayor and Board of Aldermen; and

WHEREAS, her dedication to her community and to improving the lives of others was rewarded in 2008 when USA Weekend Magazine chose Mrs. Dillard's project, Free Flea Market, as one of the top ten projects in the nation; and

WHEREAS, recognized for commitment to her community, Mrs. Dillard has been recognized by the Yazoo County Action, Inc., in 1987, for her years of service as a board member, the Yazoo Hometowners for her devotion to improvement in Yazoo City, and the Liberty Missionary Baptist Church for her contribution to the church and the entire Yazoo County community in 2009; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Dillard's volunteerism and dedication have been honored by Greek organizations, including: Delta Sigma Theta as 2009 Volunteer of the Year, Omega Psi Phi's - Xi Kappa Kappa Chapter as 2008 Yazoo City Citizen of the Year, Omega Psi Phi 2009 State of Mississippi Citizen of the Year, and Zeta Phi Beta's - Zeta Psi Zeta Chapter, which honored her in 2009 for her volunteerism at a reception where she was presented with a Key to the City of Clarksdale by Mayor Henry Espy; and

WHEREAS, ever the faithful servant, Mrs. Dillard was presented with the Woman of Excellence Service Award by the Lifesavers Program for Youth in Yazoo County in 2009, the Transformation Award for Engaging in Ministry with the Poor by the Mississippi United Methodist Church in 2009, the Emory Hodgson Community Service Award by the Yazoo County Convention and Visitors Bureau in October 2009, and the Humanitarian and Hero Award by the Yazoo City Chamber of Commerce in November 2009; and

WHEREAS, the years of outstanding and invaluable service to her community and to her state have been distinguished by the city officials of Yazoo City, who presented Mrs. Dillard with a Proclamation in April 2009, and by Congressman Bennie Thompson who presented Mrs. Dillard with a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition; and

WHEREAS, imparting the values of self-assuredness, perseverance, service and benevolence obtained with her years of infinite wisdom into the lives of all she has encountered along the journey, Mrs. Dillard was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Governor Initiative for Volunteer Service in August 2010, and the Lifetime Achievement Service Award by the Yazoo City Lady Achievers Organization in December 2011; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Dillard has relied on God as the driving force to sustain and power her through the circumstances, trials and triumphs of life, while remaining devoted to her family and desire to better her fellowman, believing that we should do all the good we can for as long as we can; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to commend the life of such an outstanding individual as Mrs. Dillard, who attributes her longevity to leaning on God, blessing others, abstaining from alcohol and smoking, good eating habits and staying active:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the life of Mrs. Leola Dillard, in celebration of her 100th birthday on February 6, 2012, and express sincere wishes for continued health, joy, peace and prosperity for many years to come.

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