Senate Concurrent Resolution 658

(As Adopted by Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE OF KOREAN WAR VETERAN AND COMMUNITY LEADER BILLY J. MCCAIN, SR., OF BOLIVAR COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, AND RECOGNIZING APRIL 19, 2012, AS "BILLY MCCAIN, SR., DAY" IN BOLIVAR COUNTY.

WHEREAS, Billy J. McCain, Sr., was born in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 19, 1936, to proud parents, Robert T. McCain and Jessie Lee McCain. Billy attended Grenada Colored High School where he was active in football and the Boy Scouts. He graduated in 1954 and enlisted in the United States Air Force where he served in the Korea Special Military Combat Forces. His honors included receiving the Foreign Service Medal, Selected Squadron Airman of the Month, Selected Base Airman of the Month, Good Conduct Citation, and an Honorable Discharge; and

WHEREAS, in 1958 he returned to Mississippi to attend Mississippi Vocational College known today as Mississippi Valley State University where he earned his Bachelor's of Science Degree in Business and played football in the position of linebacker. Billy also received his Masters of Art Degree in Administration from Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi. He completed work in Master Executive Training at Texas Tech University and the NDEA Institute for Teachers of Disadvantaged Youth at Jackson State University in Jackson, Mississippi. He received extensive training in Leadership and Management from the Division of Community Programs; and

WHEREAS, his professional organizations included: Entergy Board of Directors, Delta Health Center Board of Directors, President of Region IV Head Start Association, Chairman of Mississippi State Board of Health/Child Care Licensure Division, Chairman of Mississippi Head Start Association, Mid-Delta Empowerment Zone Alliance, Mississippi Association of Community Action Agencies, Mississippi Head Start Director, National Community Action Association, National Head Start Association, National Consortium of States, HBCU/Head Start Partnership, Cleveland-Bolivar County Chamber of Commerce, Mississippi Valley State Alumni Association, Boy Scouts of America, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, NAACP and 100 Black Men; and

WHEREAS, as a Head Start and Community Action pioneer, Billy J. McCain was a proven compassionate leader dedicated to the "War on Poverty." Under his leadership, he impacted over 200,000 lives of children and families in the Bolivar County area through education, social services, health, nutrition, housing, staff recruitment, job development, special skills and training. He served as Head Start Director and/or Executive Director for over 40 years. Billy was a faithful member of Solomon Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church where he served dutifully as the President Pro Tem of the Trustee Board, and a member of the Sons of Allen until his death; and

WHEREAS, Billy met and married Sylvia Spearman in 1958 and three children were born to this union, Billy, Jr. (Veronica), Derek, and Sheryl McCain Wells; four grandchildren, Jessica, Roy Wells II, Derek II and William Paul; one sister, Betty (Marino) Casem; and

WHEREAS, it is with sadness that we remember the passing of this respected Mississippi civic leader whose great sprit enriched the lives of all Mississippians:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby remember and commend the life of Korean War Veteran and community leader Billy J. McCain, Sr., of Bolivar County, Mississippi, and join the citizens of Bolivar County, on April 19, 2012, where the Mound Bayou-Shelby Head Start Center will be renamed the "Billy J. McCain Sr., Head Start Center" in his honor.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the family of Billy J. McCain, Sr., and the Mound Bayou-Shelby Head Start Center, forwarded to the City of Bolivar County, Mississippi, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.