House Resolution 39

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING GRANVILLE FREEMAN ON WINNING THE 2011 WORLD GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP AMATEUR RIDER OF THE YEAR TITLE.

WHEREAS, a native of Morton, Mississippi, 65-year-old Granville Freeman is the 2011 World Grand Championship Amateur Rider of the Year; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Freeman and his wife, Diane, have been attending horse shows in Tennessee for more than 30 years, showcasing their prize-winning horses and bringing home numerous championship titles; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Freeman showcased six horses last year for approximately 80-90 nights out of the year, and brought home an astonishing 12 World Grand Championship titles and 18 World Championship titles; and

WHEREAS, after watching his riders win titles on his horses, Mr. Freeman decided to give the horse show a try for himself in the 2011 season, a decision which has proven to be a commendable choice; and

WHEREAS, displaying excellent horsemanship, Mr. Freeman obtained a top honor, bringing home the World Grand Championship Amateur of the Year title in his first year of showing as a rider; and

WHEREAS, contributing much of his success to his horse trainer, Mr. Freeman trusts the skills and knowledge of Dickie Gardner to choose and train his championship horses; and

WHEREAS, the former Lake High School football coach, who displayed his competitiveness and superstition by wearing all green on the playing field, has traded his green athletic wear for blue Western wear, and Mr. Freeman requires his team, his horses and even his wife to wear blue on competition nights to ensure that his horses bring home the championship titles; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Freeman has managed his independent State Farm Insurance Agency in Forest since 1981, and he is a graduate of East Central Community College, the University of Southern Mississippi, Southeastern Louisiana University and Jackson State University; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to commend excellence when displayed by the citizens of this state, such as Mr. Freeman, who has brought great honor to himself, his family, his community and the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Mr. Granville Freeman on his 2011 World Grand Championship Amateur of the Year title, 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 Mr. Freeman and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.