Bill Text: MS HC25 | 2017 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Reverend and Mrs. James Carroll Sandford; commend their lives and service to Covington County.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2017-02-06 - Enrolled Bill Signed [HC25 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2017-HC25-Enrolled.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2017 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representative Sanford
House Concurrent Resolution 25
(As Adopted by House and Senate)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION HONORING AND COMMENDING REVEREND AND MRS. JAMES CARROLL "JAKE" SANFORD FOR THEIR WONDERFUL, SELFLESS SERVICE TO COVINGTON COUNTY AND TO THE VETERANS OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI.
WHEREAS, a community is nothing without its volunteers and citizens, and Reverend and Mrs. James Carroll "Jake" Sanford have far exceeded the call of stewardship for Covington County, the State of Mississippi and its veterans, as they have each devoted their lives to improving their lovely town through economic progress, ministering to the needy and serving the veterans; and
WHEREAS, Jake and Shirley, both natives of Covington County, met while attending Seminary Attendance Center, fell madly in love, and determined that nothing would separate their intertwined souls and the bond that God had placed between them, not even Jake's decision to join the United States Armed Forces after graduating from high school in 1954; and
WHEREAS, while basic training was difficult for the couple's relationship, it only helped their love for one another grow stronger, so during his first leave of absence after completing basic training, Jake and Shirley exchanged the vows of holy matrimony with the words, "I do," on October 18, 1954; and
WHEREAS, during his service, Jake trained at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and Etajima, Japan, and during the Korean War, he was stationed at the headquarters of all of the Armed Forces of the Far East in Camp Zama, Japan, where he served for two years processing classified communications that helped the Armed Forces prevail on the frontlines; and
WHEREAS, Jake embraced his loving wife, who had missed him dearly during his three-year stint in the Army, after his discharge on August 4, 1957, and together, the two of them went on to accomplish much in the business community, including owning and working in several retail businesses until their retirement in 2003; and
WHEREAS, at the age of 41, God placed a burden on Jake's heart to enter the ministry and help spread the love and mercy of His Holiness, so Jake did that, serving in various roles in his local church, including helping those in his church family as deacon, ministering to others as a Sunday School teacher, and preaching the divine Word of God as pastor; and
WHEREAS, in 2000, Jake and Shirley planted a nondenominational church in their hometown of Seminary, Mississippi, and called it Grace OutReach Church, to help further transform into the fishers of men that God calls us to be; and
WHEREAS, motivated by their overwhelming compassion for the veterans who, like Jake, helped make America the land of liberty she is today, Jake and Shirley also founded Veterans OutReach in 2000, which is a charity run and operated by dozens of gracious volunteers who help better the lives of the veterans residing at the Mississippi State Veterans Home in Collins, Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, through the Veterans OutReach, Jake and Shirley help provide the necessities to the residents living at the veterans home while also filling their lives with fun and entertainment; and
WHEREAS, Jake serves as the chaplain of the Veterans Home, preaching sermons weekly and helping inspire those living there to worship the Lord God Almighty, and despite their age, he and Shirley help meet the needs of the nation's most deserving citizens; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and honor the lives of fine Mississippians who give back to their communities every single day, especially those such as Jake and Shirley, a gracious couple who always put others before themselves, love their community unconditionally, and worship the Lord God Almighty through their giving and their care for the less fortunate, bringing glory and honor to the State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and honor the dedication of Reverend and Mrs. James Carroll "Jake" Sanford to their community, to the Lord, and to the veterans of the State of Mississippi, and express our sincere wishes for continued success in all of their future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Jake and Shirley Sanford and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.
