House Resolution 107

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING MR. JAMES E. "SONNY" BOATMAN AS 2014 CITIZEN OF THE YEAR.

WHEREAS, Mr. James E. "Sonny" Boatman of Corinth, Mississippi, was honored as the 2014 Citizen of the Year by the Junior Auxiliary of Corinth, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, this youthful 83 year old is a tireless contributor to the Corinth Artist Guild Gallery, which has been a part of downtown Corinth since 2002; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Boatman returned to Corinth in the early 1990s after he retired as director of interior display at the famous Lord & Taylor flagship store in New York City, after 35 years of dedicated service; and

WHEREAS, his passion for art and culture motivated him to commit to many unpaid endeavors in the arts, including the preservation of the arts, the exhibition of arts and activities involving art; and

WHEREAS, his volunteer efforts have earned recognition from various groups, including Spirit of Service Lifetime Achievement (2011), the Alliance (2007), and the Shanda Wilbanks Albritton Lifetime Achievement Award from Corinth Theatre-Arts (2007); and

WHEREAS, as evidence of his devotion to improving the artistic and cultural landscape of Corinth, he almost single-handedly organized and produced an annual heritage festival on the grounds of the Verandah-Curlee House; and

WHEREAS, to Mr. Boatman, retirement means to enter the second phase of life, "I didn't move back to Corinth to retire and sit in a rocker on the front porch," he said; and

WHEREAS, it is our policy to commend and congratulate the passionate citizens who strive to improve the artistic landscape of Mississippi's small towns:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Mr. James E. "Sonny" Boatman on being honored as the 2014 Citizen of the Year by the Junior Auxiliary of Corinth.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mr. James E. "Sonny" Boatman, the President of the Junior Auxiliary of Corinth and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.