House Resolution 121

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE COURAGE AND BRAVERY OF MR. JAMES ANDERSON, COMMENDING HIS DISTINGUISHED SERVICE DURING WORLD WAR II ON BEHALF OF THIS GREAT NATION AND CELEBRATING THE AUSPICIOUS OCCASION OF HIS 100TH BIRTHDAY.

WHEREAS, Mr. James Anderson distinguished himself as a fearless combatant in the United States Army when he nobly put his life on the line to protect the freedoms of all Americans during World War II, and this year, on September 18, 2023, he celebrates his 100th birthday; and

WHEREAS, World War II Army veteran Mr. James Anderson was the seventh of eight boys born to Tom Anderson and Leela Haynes of Sallis, Mississippi, on September 18, 1923, and his grandfather, Eddie Anderson, was from South Carolina but was sold as a slave to someone in Alabama but walked from Alabama to Mississippi to make Mississippi his home; and

WHEREAS, in 1943, after the relations between the United States and the hostile Axis Powers had diminished and caused Lady Liberty to engage the extremist regime in World War II, Mr. Anderson was drafted into the United States Army and was sworn in on May 21, 1943, in Kosciusko, Mississippi, joining the ranks of an elite fraternity of soldiers in the United States Army who patriotically served their country during World War II; and

WHEREAS, after he was sworn in, Mr. Anderson boarded a bus to Fort Eustis, Virginia, where he completed basic training and also combat training, and never wavering in valor, strength and prowess, throughout the war, Mr. Anderson shot the 40MM guns and remained a steadfast and brave soldier for the United States of America; and

WHEREAS, after helping facilitate victory for the United States in World War II, the heroic veteran shifted from an invaluable soldier to a priceless contributor in his community, and he worked on his farm until 1964 and later took a job as a custodian at Goodman-Pickens Elementary School, where he retired after 23 years of service; and

WHEREAS, on a beautiful Sunday evening in 1943, Mr. James Anderson wed the late Annie Lou (Mattee) Anderson, and they completed their family unit with the addition of eight children and 14 grandchildren, and Mr. and Mrs. Anderson enjoyed 73 years of blissful marriage together before Mrs. Anderson's passing in 2016; and

WHEREAS, Mr. James Anderson has been an ordained deacon since 1947 with the Sandridge Baptist Church on Highway 51, and despite his age, he still loves to garden and never hesitates to lift up his voice in prayer; and

WHEREAS, some gave all in World War II, the ultimate price to pay in order to protect the American way of life, and Mr. James Anderson stood through for the red, white and blue, as his unflinching courage and gallant sacrifice reflected lasting glory upon himself and upheld the noble traditions of the United States Army; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to honor heroic Mississippians such as Mr. James Anderson for his dauntless fortitude and his remarkable dedication to the United States of America and to the people of the State of Mississippi, who are eternally appreciative, for without him, the freedom they know and love would not be possible:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby recognize the courage and bravery of Mr. James Anderson, commend his distinguished service during World War II on behalf of this great nation and celebrate the auspicious occasion of his 100th birthday.

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