House Concurrent Resolution 67

(As Adopted by House and Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING MR. SLEDGE TAYLOR UPON RECEIPT OF THE 2015 COTTON GROWER ACHIEVEMENT AWARD AND COMMENDING HIS MANY CONTRIBUTIONS TO AGRICULTURE IN THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI.

WHEREAS, "when tillage begins, other arts follow; the farmers therefore are the founders of human civilization"; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Sledge Taylor, from Como, Mississippi, and a graduate of Mississippi State University, was honored January 6, 2016, with the 2015 National Cotton Grower Achievement Award, an honor that recognizes one cotton grower for excellence, innovation and leadership within the cotton growing profession; and

WHEREAS, a fifth generation farmer, Mr. Taylor's incomparable career began at age 14 when he began learning the tools of the trade from his father, who came from a family that has grown cotton for over 100 years; and

WHEREAS, in 2015, Mr. Taylor planted around 1,800 acres of cotton, but his contributions to the Mississippi Cotton industry did not end with his harvests; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Taylor has been a leader in agriculture for most of his life and his commitment to agriculture is unequaled, he has faithfully served as: Secretary/Treasurer of the National Cotton Council, Chairman of the National Cotton Foundation, President of the Mississippi Cattle Industry Board, President of the Mississippi Cattlemen's Association, President of the National Cotton Ginners Association and Vice President of the Delta Council; and

WHEREAS, through his many years of service, Mr. Taylor cultivated the skill and experience to lead his profession forward, currently serving as: Chairman of the National Cotton Council, member of the USDA's Agriculture Technical Committee for Trade, Commissioner for the Panola County Soil and Water Conservation District, Commissioner of the Panola-Tate Drainage District, board member for Delta Wildlife and Chairman of the Panola County Land Planning Commission, of which he was a founding member; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Taylor has also been recognized for his many contributions to agriculture: he has been featured in numerous trade publications and magazines, including Cotton Farming Magazine and Cotton Grower Magazine and Mississippi State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Magazine, as a leader in agriculture; he has also received the 2015 McCallie Alumni Achievement Award, along with being recognized as Mississippi Cattleman of the Year and Mississippi Farmer of the Year; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to share in the enthusiasm of citizens of this state such as Mr. Sledge as they represent Mississippi through exceptional accomplishment and leadership both locally and nationally:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Mr. Sledge Taylor upon receiving the 2015 National Cotton Grower Achievement Award, and extend best wishes for success in all of his future endeavors.

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