House Resolution 89

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND HONORING THE MANY ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF COACH HOUSTON MARKHAM, JR., AND THE INSPIRATIONAL ROLE HE PLAYED IN THE LIVES OF EACH OF HIS FOOTBALL PLAYERS AND STUDENTS.

WHEREAS, Mr. Houston Markham, Jr., who was born on December 20, 1942, in Brookhaven, Mississippi, has served as a distinguished educator and guiding light to thousands of young people throughout his illustrious career of dedicated service to the schools in Mississippi as a remarkable football coach; and

WHEREAS, after graduating from Brookhaven's Alexander High School, Mr. Markham attended Alcorn State University, where he excelled on the football field as an offensive lineman for four years and in the classroom, graduating with a bachelor of science degree with an endorsement in health and physical education in 1965, and he continued his education at Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee, where he received a master of arts degree in health and physical education in 1971; and

WHEREAS, Coach Markham embarked upon his dreams of coaching at Eva Gordon Attendance Center in Magnolia, Mississippi, where he served as the assistant coach from 1965 until 1966, a role in which he helped the players achieve their fullest potential both on the field and in the classroom; and

WHEREAS, from 1967 until 1975, Coach Markham was the Head Football Coach at Rosa A. Temple High, and subsequent thereto, North Vicksburg High before the school received its current nomenclature Vicksburg High School, and over the course of his exceptional football career there, he amassed 65 wins with only a mere 16 losses, 3 ties and an impressive winning streak of 40 consecutive games, and his 1969, 1970 and 1973 teams participated in and won the Red Carpet Bowl Championship; and

WHEREAS, Coach Markham was the assistant football coach of the Mississippi High School All-Star Game in 1973, and because of his game-changing plays and brilliant strategic mind, he was selected to serve as the Assistant Coach at Jackson State University in Jackson, Mississippi, and remained in that coaching position from 1975 until 1987; and

WHEREAS, after his tenure at Jackson State, Coach Markham was chosen to be the Head Football Coach of Alabama State University in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1987, where he broadened the Hornets' knowledge of the game and refined their skills in execution while creating a legacy of superior play and true sportsmanship, and his Hornets team was named SWAC Champions and Black College National Champions in 1991; and

WHEREAS, the incomparable leadership and expertise of Coach Markham is evidenced in more than just wins in the record books and over the course of his coaching career, as he engrained moral integrity and discipline into each of his high caliber athletes, and for his efforts, he was named Co-Coach of the Year in the Mississippi Big-Eight Conference in 1974, Sheridan Coach of the Year in 1987, 1990 and 1991, SWAC Football Coach of the Year in 1990 and 1991, Football Coach of the Year by the 100 Percent Wrong Club of Atlanta in 1990, and Football Coach of the Year by the Pigskin Club of America in Washington, D.C., in 1991; and

WHEREAS, Coach Markham is married to the former Annie Pearl Davis, and the couple have two children, Yolanda Markham-Huntley and Houston III, and two grandchildren, each the apple of his eye, Payton Lemara and Houston (Cody) Markham IV, and when Coach Markham is not occupied molding the minds of the younger generation or drawing up new routes and trick plays for his football teams, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends; and

WHEREAS, Eva Gordon Attendance Center, Vicksburg High School, Jackson State University and Alabama State University have truly benefitted from the unrivaled skill and competence Coach Markham provided to their athletic programs, as success from the fields and tales of his accomplishments will forever echo throughout the halls and across the bleachers with the beginning of each school's new season; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend the accomplishments of Mississippians who dedicate their lives to the betterment of her youth, especially those such as Coach Houston Markham, Jr., who continuously cared for children other than his own and instilled in them the qualities and characteristics to become great citizens of this Magnolia State:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby recognize and honor the many accomplishments of Coach Houston Markham, Jr., and the inspirational role he played in the lives of each of his football players and students, and express deepest wishes for continued success in all of his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Coach Houston Markham, Jr., and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.