House Concurrent Resolution 81

(As Adopted by House and Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING MR. CHRISTOPHER L. SMITH UPON BEING ELECTED AS THE IMPERIAL POTENTATE OF SHRINERS INTERNATIONAL AND SHRINERS HOSPITALS FOR CHILDREN.

WHEREAS, Christopher L. Smith of Olive Branch, Mississippi, is currently serving his 11th year as a member of the Boards of Directors for Shriners International and Shriners Hospitals for Children, and he was elected Imperial Potentate, part of the 13-member body that helps govern the Shriners' fraternity, during the Shriners' 2016 Imperial Session held in Tampa, Florida, from July 3 to July 7, 2016; and

WHEREAS, the 22 Shriners Hospitals treat burned, cleft lip and palate and crippled children from around the world at no cost to families, and Mr. Smith is the first citizen of Mississippi to lead the worldwide organization of Shriners International and Shriners Hospitals for Children as Imperial Potentate; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Smith began his fraternal journey at the age of 14 when he joined the Order of Demolay in 1969 at Whitehaven Masonic Lodge in Memphis, Tennessee, and he was raised a Master Mason at Whitehaven Masonic Lodge No. 599 at the age of 21; and

WHEREAS, additionally, Mr. Smith is a member of the Memphis Scottish Rite and York Rite Bodies of Mississippi, and in 1978, he was made 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason and later a Knight Commander of the Court of Honor; and

WHEREAS, originally, Mr. Smith became a member of Al Chymia Shriners in Memphis, Tennessee, but he later moved and became a member of Wahabi Shriners Temple in Jackson, Mississippi, where he served as the Temple's Potentate in 2004; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Smith is also an active member of the Olive Branch Shrine Club, where he has served as president, and he has also served as president at both the South Central Shrine Motor Corps Association and the Dixie Shrine Motor Corp Association; and

WHEREAS, in 2006, the Divan of the Imperial Shrine elected Mr. Smith, and he serves in multiple committee chair positions and gives unselfishly of his time, heart and resources to travel promoting the organization he enjoys representing, but never forgets that his true home is in Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, born on August 28, 1955, in Memphis, Tennessee, Mr. Smith has been a resident of Olive Branch since 1977, and he and his wife, Ethel, have been married for 43 years and have two children and four grandchildren, and throughout their marriage, they have been passionate supporters of the organization he has been a part of since 1978; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to acknowledge and commend the dedicated service and illustrious leadership of those in elite civic organizations throughout Mississippi, especially those such as Mr. Christopher L. Smith, who was recently elected Imperial Potentate of Shriners International and Shriners Hospitals for Children:

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. Christopher L. Smith upon being elected as the Imperial Potentate of Shriners International and Shriners Hospitals for Children and express sincere wishes for continued success in all of his future endeavors.

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