House Resolution 96

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE DEDICATED AND DISTINGUISHED EDUCATIONAL SERVICE AND CAREERS OF MR. DARWIN AND MRS. DANA NELSON, AND EXTENDING TO THEM BEST WISHES UPON THE NOTEWORTHY OCCASION OF THEIR RETIREMENT FROM THE GEORGE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT.

WHEREAS, at the conclusion of the 2014-2015 school year, the storied career of two esteemed and iconic educators of the George County School District will draw to an end, as the husband and wife super-education duo of Darwin and Dana Nelson surrender their playbooks and lesson plans, yielding from the innate desire to pour more than 50 years of combined educational enlightenment into the eager minds of anxious students, as they pursue the lighter years of life in retirement; and

WHEREAS, throughout their years of service to George County High School, Darwin, a native of Agricola, and Dana, a native of Gulfport, who met while attending Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (Perkinston) before earning their baccalaureate degrees from the University of Southern Mississippi, have been timeless assets to the students and parents of George County School District contributing countless hours fulfilling the duties and obligations associated with their various positions as Football Coach and Golf Coach and Show Choir and Drama instructor, respectively; and

WHEREAS, Coach and Mrs. Nelson were trailblazing pioneers in instituting new programs at George County High School, including the show choir, and their unwavering commitment to inspiring students' aspirations to achieve greatness is responsible for preparing and grooming generations of doctors, lawyers, nurses, politicians, teachers, leaders and other role models, many of whom received scholarships to attend college as a direct result of the professionalism, expertise and genuine interest exhibited by the Nelsons; and

WHEREAS, through their tireless dedication and loving patience shown to the profession on education, the Nelsons, who have been united in matrimony for 32 years, are God-fearing citizens who commit equally as much of their time as faithful members of Lucedale First Baptist Church, where they participate in the church choir, in addition to traveling extensively promoting and serving as hosts of the Mississippi Songwriter's Festival, held annually in Ocean Springs, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, lifelong career educators who have taken on the roles of teacher, friend, coach, counselor, confidant and surrogate parents, Darwin and Dana, perfected and nurtured their love of children through the invaluable lessons learned with the birth and rearing of their own children, sons Brett and Rory; and

WHEREAS, the citizens of George County and the entire state owe an immeasurable debt of gratitude to Darwin and Dana as they move to the lighter days of their awaited retirement; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend excellence, especially when evidenced by individuals who have selflessly dedicated so many years of their lives to developing and cultivating the minds and spirits of the many students with whom they have come in contact during their illustrious careers:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the dedicated and distinguished educational service and careers of Mr. Darwin and Mrs. Dana Nelson, and extend to them best wishes upon the noteworthy occasion of their retirement from the George County School District.

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