House Resolution 96

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE, LEGACY AND SERVICE OF MR. MARCO WATSON MCMILLIAN, AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY, COLLEAGUES AND FRIENDS UPON HIS PASSING.

WHEREAS, "To everything there is a season, and time to every purpose under the heaven," and as such, the grand architect of the universe, the immaculate author and finisher of our soul's destiny, has summoned the mortal presence of dearly beloved, legendary Marco Watson McMillian, to eternal rest, as he has made life's final transition from earthly travailing to heavenly reward, rendering great sorrow and loss to his family, colleagues and friends; and

WHEREAS, a Clarksdale, Mississippi, native and magna cum laude graduate from Jackson State University, (W.E.B. DuBois Honors College) and a master's degree from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota in the area of Philanthropy and Development, Mr. McMillian, who was acclaimed by EBONY Magazine in 2004 as one of the nation's 30 leaders who are 30 and under, was a visionary possessed with an invincible talent to change and transform lives through his call to service and action; and

WHEREAS, one who relied heavily upon his faith, Marco confessed his belief in Christ at an early age, and remained devout in his Christian service and patronage throughout his life, reflecting his passion for God through his commitment to assisting others and his Christ-like care and concern for the building of the kingdom, an allegiance to which he continued to manifest from his childhood as a member of the New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church; and

WHEREAS, a formidably accomplished individual of 34 years, all of Mr. McMillian's accolades, honors and acknowledgments, whether regional, national or international, paled in comparison to his zealous commitment to improve the plight of his fellowman, and more particularly his hometown community of Clarksdale, as evidenced by his return to actively seek the Office of Mayor, as he immersed himself into selflessly offering his time and talents to assist those in need through a platform of self empowerment, educational enhancement and economic and fiscal awareness to augment a better quality of life for the city and its inhabitants; and

WHEREAS, Mr. McMillian, a lifetime member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., who served from July 16, 2007, until October 1, 2011, as the International Executive Director of the organization, whose membership boasts more than 150,000, was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the almost 100-year-old fraternity as its sixth and youngest Chief Operating Officer since its establishment in 1914, and during his tenure, he excelled by making significant strides to secure $500,000.00 for the fraternity and the organization's first federal contract; and

WHEREAS, an ardent student of perfectionism and efficiency, Marco professionalized many of the organization's systems and procedures and introduced electronic voting for delegates at the organization's 2011 national convention, and notably led the charge for the organization's first international service project in Nigeria, South Africa; and

WHEREAS, having successfully tapped into his entrepreneurial niche, Mr. McMillian founded and established MWM & Associates, a consulting agency for nonprofit organizations, after having acquired the requisite skill and knowledge of how to operate and administer a lucrative business from his professional experience and employment history as the Executive Assistant to the President (Chief of Staff) at Alabama A&M University in Huntsville, Alabama, Assistant to the Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Jackson State University, program coordinator and classroom instructor for Clarksdale Public School District and Noxubee County School District; and

WHEREAS, evidentiary of his remarkable talent of administrative leadership, he was the recipient of many honors and awards, including: one of the "Top 40 Leaders under 40" by the Mississippi Business Journal; featured as one of 27 interesting personalities in the Who's Who in Black Washington, D.C., inaugural publication; recipient of the 2009 Thurgood Marshall Prestige Award presented by the Thurgood Marshall College Fund; Who's Who in Black Washington, D.C., second edition and Who's Who in Black Baltimore inaugural publication; commissioned as a Kentucky Colonel by the Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky; and the recipient of President Barack Obama's Lifetime Volunteer Service Award; and inducted into the Outstanding Sigmas of the Southern Region Chapter; and

WHEREAS, an individual devoted to the service of mankind, Mr. McMillian shared professional and civic affiliations with: the Coahoma County Branch of NAACP; Arms of Love National Project; the Mississippi School for the Blind Community Health Council; the Kiwanis Club International President's Advisory Council; Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.; Jackson State University National Alumni Association, Inc.; March of Dimes; 100 Black Men of Maryland, Inc.; Association of Fundraising Professionals; Rotary Club of Washington, D.C.; National Pan Hellenic Council; Eunice Kennedy Shiver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; and the International Community Ambassadors Network (I! CAN); and

WHEREAS, in Mr. McMillian's transformation from mortality to immortality, he now adorns the raiment of a spiritual host dressed in white, as he joins the league of chariot's escorts, as it is written in the Book of Revelation 21:1-2, "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband."; and

WHEREAS, one whose life's sojourn can be depicted in the scriptural reference of Revelation 2:10(b), which reads, "Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life," Mr. McMillian fulfilled the meaning of the old spiritual which he adopted as his life's motto: "If I can help somebody, as I pass along, then my living shall not be in vain."; and

WHEREAS, although he has traversed the river of life to reunite with those who answered God's summons to life eternal and now beckon his arrival to the celestial shores of heaven's grandeur in a family reunion of the ages, including, the legacy of Mr. McMillian, which if put to music would be a majestic symphonic masterpiece composed by the Holy Trinity, will continue to refresh the hearts and fond memories of his beloved survivors and litany of friends, colleagues and fraternity brothers; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to commend the life and legacy of Mississippi's native sons, such as Mr. McMillian, who have blessed and enriched the lives of so many while present in this earthly life, and whose indelible imprint resoundingly echoes in the ears of those who fondly recall his impassioned zeal for life and service:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commemorate the life, legacy and heritage of Mr. Marco Watson McMillian, whose life was a melodic aria, infusing the atmosphere with his charismatic rifts and stirring crescendos of life, love and encouragement, and to whose family we express our sincerest and deepest sympathy upon his passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Mr. Marco W. McMillian, the National Headquarters of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.