Bill Text: MS SC622 | 2013 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Mourn the loss of South Mississippi Hospitality Industry Icon John Mladinich.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2013-04-08 - Enrolled Bill Signed [SC622 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2013-SC622-Enrolled.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2013 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Gollott, Butler (38th), Dawkins, Tindell
Senate Concurrent Resolution 622
(As Adopted by Senate and House)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMENDING THE LIFE OF SOUTH MISSISSIPPI HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY ICON JOHN MLADINICH AND EXPRESSING THE SYMPATHY OF THE LEGISLATURE.
WHEREAS, John Mladinich, who owned and operated the White Pillars Restaurant in Biloxi, Mississippi, passed away March 28, 2013; and
WHEREAS, the son of Croatian Immigrants Mary Pierotich Mladinich and Andrew Jake Mladinich, Sr., John worked alongside his parents on his father's shrimp boat, the "Winchester," and also in the oyster and shrimp-processing plants on the Biloxi waterfront. He grew up on Point Cadet just across the street from St. Michael's Church, not far from the boat docks and seafood factories that employed most of East Biloxi. John earned his Diploma from Biloxi High School and with the 1950 opening of his family's first restaurant, "The Fiesta," John's hospitality skills were honed and continued to sharpen as the family developed other successful destinations including "The Hot Stop," the "19th Hole Lounge," the "Cabana Beach Motel," the "Sea and Sirloin," "Trader John's Lounge" and the "Le Chateau Apartments"; and
WHEREAS, even during his years of military service John's flare for hospitality was recognized and put to use. He served as Steward to the Old Guard Club at Fort Myers, Virginia, from March of 1952 to February of 1954. His responsibilities included scheduling, arranging support and serving staff for functions hosted by General and Mrs. Omar Bradley. Because of his rapport with General Bradley, the General gave John a collection of original World War II combat photographs of the European Theater. At the encouragement of Famed World War II Historian Dr. Stephen Ambrose, John published a selection of these photos in a book entitled, The Greatest American Who Ever Lived. Also a charter member of the D-Day Museum in New Orleans, John contributed several photos to the museum's exhibits; and
WHEREAS, it was in 1970 that John opened the doors to his most successful and widely acclaimed venture yet, the White Pillars Restaurant and Lounge. The White Pillars, which was described in 1989 as the "Region's Finest Restaurant" by Detroit News Travel Writer Susan R. Pollack, was constructed at the turn of the century, carefully restored by the Mladinich family, and was opened shortly after Hurricane Camille. The White Pillars gained national and international acclaim for the quality of fine foods, its wine list, and genuine Southern hospitality. At the time, its culinary distinctions were arguably some of the most elite in the South, earning the restored southern mansion the "1989 Distinctive Dining Award" from Travel Holiday Magazine. Editorial acclaim for the restaurant came from the Gourmet Magazine, Bon Appetite, Master Chefs Magazine, Southern Living Magazine, and Travel South Magazine; and
WHEREAS, in 1972, the Mississippi Gulf Coast Hotel-Motel Association honored John for his contributions to the hospitality industry, and in 1990, the Chefs of the Coast selected John to receive their Annual Service Award: "In appreciation for outstanding service to the Mississippi Coast Restaurant and Beverage Association and Hospitality Industry." Active in the location selection and funding of the Mississippi Coast Coliseum, John served terms on the Coliseum Commission in 1972 and 1990. His support for legislation legalizing gaming also earned him a second Annual Service Award from the Chefs of the Coast Organization. In November of 2012, John was presented the 2nd Annual Donald Jacobs Lifetime Achievement Award, by the Mississippi Gulf Coast Attractions Association for, "The impact he had on local restaurants, hotels, charter boats, gift shops, and many other visitor-related businesses…"; and
WHEREAS, after closing the White Pillars Restaurant in 1989, John continued to remain active in tourism promotion, political and economic development initiatives, locally and statewide. Also active in his family's successful commercial real estate development company, he redeveloped shopping centers in Gulfport and Biloxi. John was particularly proud of the restoration and new construction nearing completion at White Pillars; and
WHEREAS, John is survived by his wife of 59 years, Virginia Rowe Mladinich; daughter, Deborah, and son-in-law, D. Brooks Holstein; and brother, Andrew Jake Mladinich, Jr.; and we hereby pay tribute and cherish fondly the memory of this most public spirited citizen of the Mississippi Gulf Coast who is remembered for his enormous business and civic energy:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby mourn the loss and commend the life of South Mississippi Hospitality Industry Icon John Mladinich of Biloxi, Mississippi, and express our sympathy to his family and friends on his passing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of John Mladinich and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.
