Bill Text: MS HR103 | 2017 | Regular Session | Engrossed
Bill Title: Taylor Howard; commend service to his country during World War II and service to his community.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Passed) 2017-03-28 - Enrolled Bill Signed [HR103 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2017-HR103-Engrossed.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2017 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representatives Gibbs (72nd), Williams-Barnes
House Resolution 103
(As Adopted by House)
A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND HONORING THE MERITORIOUS AND DISTINGUISHED SERVICE OF SERGEANT TAYLOR HOWARD TO HIS COUNTRY DURING WORLD WAR II AND HIS CONTINUAL SELFLESS SERVICE TO HIS COMMUNITY AND HIS STATE.
WHEREAS, Mr. Taylor Howard, a World War II veteran, a community/civic activist, entrepreneur, family man and servant of God, never viewed life as a sea of closed doors, but rather as an opportunity to never quit, to never give up, to never think lesser of himself, to always have a dream, and to make those dreams come true, and at the age of 98, he still seeks to unite and improve his community; and
WHEREAS, born on October 13, 1918, Mr. Howard has resided in Gulfport, Mississippi, since childhood, and after attending Thirty-Third Avenue High School and wanting to better himself and his family, he enrolled in the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1937, "CC Camp" as it was often referred; and
WHEREAS, while attending CC Camp, Mr. Howard was determined to learn all he could to expand his knowledge that would prepare him for his life ahead, so as a young man, he committed himself to making life better not just for himself, but for others; and
WHEREAS, after returning from CC Camp, he was drafted into the United States Army and served with the 92nd Infantry Division, and he served in combat in the European Theater from 1942 until World War II ended in 1945, training in Fort Breckenridge, Kentucky, and Fort Huachuca, Arizona, before being deployed to Northern Africa and Italy; and
WHEREAS, while in the service, Mr. Howard was promoted to the rank of Sergeant, and while in the War Zone in the Mountains of Italy, the barrage of hostile enemy fire they faced was extensive, but the 92nd Infantry Division, along with a light tank company, were able to silence the big guns of the Germans in that part of Italy, and in November of 2013, he had the privilege of taking the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. with other World War II veterans, as he continues to live his life as an active and proud World War II veteran; and
WHEREAS, after serving in World War II, Sergeant Howard returned to Gulfport, ever mindful of the things he had learned along the way and continually holding on to his dream of freedom and equality, but he knew that the only way to make a difference was to become involved, so over the years, he served in numerous civil rights and community roles, attending political rallies and caucuses, always seeking to ensure that the voice of the community was heard; and
WHEREAS, in 1966, as president of the Harrison County Taxpayers Civic and Voters League, Mr. Howard was instrumental in securing federal funding through the Office of Economic Development (OEO) for the establishment of a Community Action Program (CAP) for Harrison County, which still exists today as the Harrison County Community Action Agency; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Howard was also very passionate about the right for a child to receive a quality education at all levels, so while serving as a board member of the Community Action Program (CAP Board), he had the opportunity to meet with lawmakers in Washington, D.C., and became one of the community leaders responsible for bringing the Head Start Program to Gulfport and the Mississippi Gulf Coast; and
WHEREAS, additionally, he met with many parents concerned about the integration of schools and other educational matters, and while his children were in school, he was active in PTA and numerous advisory boards for Gulfport City Schools; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Howard joined the order of Masons in 1946, where he has served in numerous positions including Worshipful Master and as Potentate in the Shriners after being elevated to 33rd degree in 1985; and
WHEREAS, as a community activist, Mr. Howard has also served in various capacities on community advisory boards for the City of Gulfport, including the board for development at Jones Park, he was instrumental in working with the Gulfport Police Department Community Relations Division to start the "Neighborhood Watch" for the citizens of the Soria City community, and for many years, he served on the Board of Directors for the Gulf Coast Chapter of the American Red Cross; and
WHEREAS, in addition to his dreams as a community activist, Mr. Howard always wanted to own his own construction business one day, so he attended trade school to learn all he could about building and construction, never underestimating the importance of math and solving equations, which tremendously aided him as a young apprentice in his brother's construction business; and
WHEREAS, with much hard work and effort, Mr. Howard eventually formed his own building contracting business, Howard's Building Services, Incorporated, and he and his brother built churches and homes throughout the Gulf Coast and South Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Howard opened two movie theaters, "picture shows" as they were called then, one in the Soria City community and one in the North Gulfport community, to give the community children somewhere to hang with their friends and enjoy cinematic masterpieces, and both movie theaters were named "Embassy Theater" and operated until the late 1960s; and
WHEREAS, above all else, the role of a family man has always held an important meaning for Mr. Howard -- provider, nurturer, teacher, leader and protector -- a lesson he learned at an early age, especially the importance of love and togetherness, and his role as a father has not only been displayed with his children but also to his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and neighborhood children as he continually tells his grandchildren to "keep on pushing and they'll make it to the top"; and
WHEREAS, being raised in a spiritual family, choosing to serve on God's program came natural for Mr. Howard, who has been an active member of Morning Star Baptist Church for more than 85 years, and as a church advisor, he has worked on a number of committees and auxiliaries including serving as a Trustee, and as a Sunday School teacher, he touched the lives and mentored many young men who are now leaders in the church and the community; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and honor the lives of fine Mississippians, especially those such as Sergeant Taylor Howard, a gracious man who heroically served his country during World War II and continues to selflessly serve his community, his family and his church, striving daily for the betterment of all those around him, bringing glory and honor to the State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby recognize and honor the meritorious and distinguished service of Sergeant Taylor Howard to his country during World War II and his continual selfless service to his community and his state and extend most sincere wishes for continued blessings in all of his future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Sergeant Taylor Howard and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.
