Senate Concurrent Resolution 691

(As Adopted by Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO COMMEND AND RECOGNIZE THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE WILK-AMITE RECORD, LLC IN GLOSTER, MISSISSIPPI, UPON THE OCCASION OF ITS 125TH YEAR OF CONTINUOUS OPERATION.

WHEREAS, the Wilk-Amite Record newspaper company was conceived in 1892 when Benjamin Harrison was President of the United States, Ellis Island became the reception center for new immigrants, and the Coca-Cola Company was incorporated in Atlanta, Georgia. The newspaper company still operates in its original location at 243 E. Main Street, Gloster, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, the conception of the Wilk-Amite Record was founded in 1888 as The Valley Record and then renamed The Gloster Record by the town's first Mayor, Mr. William Douglas Caufield. The Caufield family ran the newspaper company for several years in which they did a wonderful job in building up Gloster and the surrounding territory; and

WHEREAS, the Wilk-Amite Record was then acquired by Mr. O.C. McDavid who then sold it to his 19-year-old son, Mr. George E. "Gene" McDavid "... for $500.00 down and forever to pay." During the McDavid's tenure of service, the newspaper was renamed the Wilk-Amite Record. The company was later sold to Mr. Paul Pittman of Tylertown, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, it should be noted that Mr. David Webb and Mrs. Mary Lou Webb acquired the company from Mr. Pittman and, currently, are the longest-standing owners of the Wilk-Amite Record, having held the ownership faithfully for more than 60 years; and

WHEREAS, after the death of Mr. Webb, Mrs. Mary Lou Webb continued to manage the newspaper company. Upon her retirement, Mrs. Webb sold the company to Mrs. Betty Stevens of Gloster, Mississippi, who also owned and operated a realtor company in Gloster; and

WHEREAS, the time consumption and huge demands necessary to run the newspaper company compelled Mrs. Betty Stevens to sell the newspaper company along with the property and building, understanding that Mrs. Betty Stevens desired to preserve the history of her small hometown. Mrs. Stevens sold to Mr. Davis "Billy" Anders. Mr. Anders is an Amite County native who was born in Liberty, Mississippi. Mr. Anders attended elementary school in the building that is now Blalock's Grocery in Liberty, Mississippi. He is a military veteran; and

WHEREAS, in July 2014, Mr. Anders placed a telephone call to Mr. Gregory Adams. Mr. Anders asked Mr. Adams if he would be interested in acquiring the ownership of the Wilk-Amite Record. Mr. Adams stated that it took him "less than 15 seconds" to express his desire and acceptance of the offer from Mr. Anders. Mr. Adams, also a military veteran, is the President/CEO of eCom Direct, Inc. The required documents were immediately filed with the Mississippi Secretary of State, and reflect eCom Direct as the "Sole Member" of the Wilk-Amite Record, LLC. Mr. Gregory Adams is a native of Houston, Texas, and is the first African-American to have ownership of the Wilk-Amite Record; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Gregory Adams is the son and the eighth of nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. E.R. Adams. Mrs. Hazel V. Adams is a native of Liberty, Mississippi. She was raised in the "Jerusalem" community, where the Simmons family has lived for many, many years; and

WHEREAS, it is the goal of eCom Direct, Inc., and the Wilk-Amite Record, LLC to assist The Gloster Economic Development Association to acquire a building which will serve as a museum on Main Street in the Town of Gloster. Notwithstanding any unforeseen factors, the Linotype "Model 8" printing press, and all of the associated artifacts used by Mr. O.C. McDavid and Mr. Gene McDavid, shall be carefully relocated into the new museum in the Town of Gloster, Mississippi. This preservation process shall officially begin during the 125-year Celebration in 2017; and

WHEREAS, the Wilk-Amite Record, the Southwest Mississippi Community College and the Community Outreach Development Corporation, Inc., shall each serve as one of the founding members of The Gloster Economic Development Association, a (501)(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which will acquire the 150-year-old home plus the property located at 315 E. Main Street, Gloster, Mississippi 39638. This historical site shall become the headquarters for The Gloster Economic Development Association; and

WHEREAS, The Gloster Economic Development Association will present and host the Wilk-Amite Record's 125th Celebration in 2017. Amite and Wilkinson Counties are both serviced by the Wilk-Amite Record, LLC. The Gloster Economic Development Association has partnered with this local newspaper to be a catalyst for change within these two counties. Through mass communication, the citizens are encouraged and inspired to rally together to bring about the change that they so desperately desire. No longer will Southwest Mississippi be the place where "time forgot," but will be the place in which the founders of the Wilk-Amite Record originally envisioned; and

WHEREAS, through these efforts and others we will drive the economy to flourish and revitalize the area. Natives and new businesses will again invest their time and resources into the community, and the new technological infrastructure will afford everyone the opportunity to explore new ideas. The museum and the arts will bring local communities together in ways not yet seen; and

WHEREAS, a Planning and Steering Committee has been assembled to lead the direction of the three-day event to be held in honor of the Wilk-Amite Record's 125th year. The second weekend in October 2017 is when the event has been scheduled to take place. On day one, October 13, 2017, the parade is being planned to start in Liberty, Mississippi, and it will take a route along Highway 24 until such time that it will reach Woodville, Mississippi. Ms. Tori Bowie, a U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist, shall serve as the Grand Marshal for the parade. On day two, October 14, 2017, concerts are being planned to take place in various locations throughout Amite County and Wilkinson County, respectively. On day three, October 15, 2017, a gala is being planned to be held at the historical "Planter Hardware, Inc." building on Main Street in Woodville, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, the three-day event is just a portion of the holistic approach that is being planned to afford this renewed "cornerstone" to be set in place. During the course of the 125th Celebration, areas of concerns such as drug addiction, illiteracy, health care, workforce training development, higher education, economic development via a master development strategy and other areas as well, will propel these communities in the direction of growth and generational wealth:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the Wilk-Amite Record, LLC for its contributions to the Communities of Amite County and Wilkinson County across 125 years of operation, and express best wishes for continued prosperity in the years to come.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be transmitted to Wilk-Amite Record, LLC, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.