MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2012 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Chassaniol, Fillingane, Clarke, Jackson (15th), Moran, Watson, Montgomery, Wiggins, Burton, Simmons (12th), Butler (38th), Hopson
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND COMMENDING THE CIVIC SERVICE OF ROTARY INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT 6820 GOVERNOR BOB GRAVES OF WINONA, MISSISSIPPI.
WHEREAS, Rotary International District 6820 Governor Bob Graves was born on September 2, 1945, at the Greenwood Leflore Hospital to Billy and Mary Rae Graves. He is the third of four children; and
WHEREAS, during his formative years, he and his younger sister, Lydia (State Senator District 14), were partners in a pig raising operation at the family farm in Winona. They named their pigs "Porky," "Sunshine" and "Petunia," among other porcine appropriate names, and later sold them at their father's livestock auction in the same town. After this initial foray into sales, Bob later went on to have a very successful career with Merrill Lynch in their Jackson office; and
WHEREAS, it was during this time that Bob became involved with the North Jackson Rotary Club and was a member there from 1984-1986. Later, he became the first President and a Charter Member of the Madison-Ridgeland Rotary Club. After retiring from Merrill Lynch, Bob moved back to Winona, married his high school sweetheart, Carole, and devoted himself to service at the district level of Rotary. He served as Secretary for District 6820 during 2003-2004 and District Trainer from 2006-2007. He was President of the Winona Rotary Club from 2007-2008. He also succeeded in bringing his son, Jonathan, and the previously mentioned sister, Lydia, into the Winona Rotary Club; and
WHEREAS, Bob is a multiple Paul Harris Fellow, a Paul Harris Society Member and a Paul Harris Benefactor; and
WHEREAS, on the District 6820 website, Bob states: "My goals for our district are focused on the areas of membership, foundation, service projects and public relations. Every Rotarian is asked to give some amount to the Rotary Foundation. The Rotary Foundation is our charity. It is the cornerstone of Rotary International. We must support it. In our own backyard there is so much in the area of community service"; and
WHEREAS, Bob has encouraged every club in District 6820 to establish a Literacy Service Project such as "Between the Lions," or a reading program at a local library, or a book drive, or a dictionary project. Rotary should be the leader in the fight against illiteracy that plagues this state, and Bob has challenged each club to complete a project in the area of literacy; and
WHEREAS, there are approximately 2,350 members of 44 Rotary Clubs in District 6820 in Central Mississippi. Governor Bob Graves has urged all members to unite behind Rotary International President Kalyan Baneree's theme, "Reach Within and Embrace Humanity" — service to others will make communities and the world a better place; and it is with great pride that we salute this Mississippi citizen who is a wonderful example for civic service and is to be commended for his record of achievement and legacy of leadership and dedication to all in Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize and commend the civic service of Rotary International District 6820 Governor Bob Graves of Winona, Mississippi, and extend to Bob and his family our thanks for his leadership.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Bob Graves and his family, forwarded to the State Office of Rotary International, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.