House Resolution 84

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING MR. BUSTER DAVIS AND ACKNOWLEDGING HIS LIFETIME OF LOYAL SERVICE AS A RESPECTED LEADER IN THE COMMUNITIES OF LEE AND ITAWAMBA COUNTIES, NORTHEAST MISSISSIPPI AND THE ENTIRE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI.

WHEREAS, Mr. Buster Davis, a native of Cotton Springs, Mississippi, and long-time resident and businessman of Fulton, has been a visionary and pioneer for community, educational and coaching leadership and economic development for the past five decades, and is hailed as a highly respected leader for his loyal devotion to service and community enhancement; and

WHEREAS, the former Director of the Appalachian Regional Commission, Mr. Davis helped direct more than $15 million into the Fulton and Tupelo campuses of Itawamba Community College and continues to be a loyal supporter with contributions of his time and resources; and

WHEREAS, a part of the leadership teams of every major development in Itawamba County since 1962, Mr. Davis forged the charge for the location of Mueller Copper Tube to Fulton, the preservation of the Mississippian Railway and the opening of the Fulton Port on the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway while serving as a volunteer director for the Itawamba County Development Council; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Davis has been instrumental in raising upwards of $50,000.00 annually for the Regional Rehabilitation Center based in Tupelo, which provides service to special needs children and adults, by sponsoring bluegrass/gospel concerts at Itawamba Community College for the last 18 years; and

WHEREAS, his passion for Northeast Mississippi fueled his commitment as the driving force in raising $5 million to establish the Tammy Wynette Memorial Park in Tremont, Mississippi, and to manage and produce charity gospel events for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital; and

WHEREAS, a former state grand slam winning basketball coach at Kossuth, Thrasher and Belmont High Schools and Itawamba Community College, Mr. Davis employed his extraordinary coaching skills to transform his automotive dealership enterprise into a Mississippi business success story of 49 years as of March 2013; and

WHEREAS, over the years Davis Ford Sales has won numerous industry awards including receiving the coveted President's Award during 12 of 13 years, given to only those dealerships displaying the highest dedication to customer sales satisfaction; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to acknowledge the zealous advocacy for a better quality of life, education and business as demonstrated by the unwavering dedication and commitment of such an individual as Mr. Davis:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby acknowledge and commend the lifetime of loyal service of Mr. Buster Davis as a respected leader in the communities of Lee and Itawamba Counties, Northeast Mississippi and the entire State of Mississippi, and express most sincere wishes for continued success in all of his future endeavors.

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