MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE 2025 Regular Session To: Rules By: Representative Holloway (76th) House Concurrent Resolution 53 (As Adopted by House and Senate) A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND COMMENDING MR. JERRY SIMS FOR HIS EXCEPTIONAL SUCCESS IN BUSINESS AND OUTSTANDING LEGACY IN TRACK AND FIELD AT ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY. WHEREAS, Mr. Jerry Sims, a successful businessman and former extraordinary student-athlete at Alcorn State University, has forged a legacy that will always be remembered; and WHEREAS, accepting a football scholarship to Alcorn in 1969 from legendary Hall of Fame football coach Marino "The Godfather" Casem, Mr. Sims graduated from Alcorn State University in 1973 as a world-record-holding track and field student-athlete under the tutelage of Hall of Fame track and field coach Dr. Grant "Babe" Dungee; and WHEREAS, in 1971, Mr. Sims, a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) All American in indoor and outdoor Track and Field, became the co-holder of the world record in the 60-meter indoor dash, with a time of 5.9 during a meet at Northwestern University, and he set a personal best record of 9.2 in the 100-meter outdoor dash at the Grambling Relays; and WHEREAS, as a student-athlete, Mr. Sims competed internationally for the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), representing the United States, in addition to participating and placing in numerous world-renowned track and field events and venues such as the Texas Relays, Kansas Relays, Drake Relays, and the AAU national championships at Madison Square Garden; and WHEREAS, Mr. Sims later returned to school to further his education and received a master's degree in science and education from Jackson State University in 1975 and a second master's degree in counseling from Alcorn State University in 1989, and while fulfilling his coursework requirements at Jackson State, he served as a manager at International Telephone and Telegraph Cooperation before returning to Alcorn in 1979 to begin his 35-year career as the fixed asset manager until his retirement in 2014; and WHEREAS, after more than 50 years, some of Mr. Sims's incredible records still stand at Alcorn State University, and in 2008, he received recognition for his outstanding athletic career with his induction into the Alcorn State University A-Club Hall of Fame; and WHEREAS, in addition to his exceptional athletic achievements, Mr. Sims, a highly astute businessman, is the president, founder and owner of Mr. Sparkles Maintenance Services, bringing three decades of successful business operations with him, providing contractual services for numerous Fortune 500 companies, and serving as a consultant for state and local agencies; and WHEREAS, creating a legacy of positive impact for generations to come, Mr. Sims has demonstrated outstanding leadership in all aspects of his career, and his business has thrived due to superior customer service and his natural ability to build connections with the community; and WHEREAS, Mr. Sims has generously given of his time and business acumen to his community, having served as vice president of the Jefferson County Hospital Board, and in recognition of his contributions, he has received numerous honors and awards, including the first Bill Pope Property Award in 2013, the Property Manager of the Year Award in 2013, and the 2001 Property Officer of the Year Award from the Mississippi Association of Government Purchasing Property Agents (MAPGPPA); and WHEREAS, fiercely dedicated to his alma mater, Mr. Sims steadfastly remains a loyal Alcornite and supporter of Alcorn State University to this day, serving as a sponsor for the Alcorn State University Saturday STEM program; and WHEREAS, outside of his phenomenal athletic accomplishments and distinguished career in business, Mr. Sims is married to Mrs. Irma Sims, and they have one daughter, Yakeika Sims; and WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize outstanding Mississippians, especially those such as Mr. Jerry Sims, whose remarkable athletic accomplishments, business success and community service bring 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 recognize and commend Mr. Jerry Sims for his exceptional success in business and outstanding legacy in track and field at Alcorn State University. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mr. Jerry Sims and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2025 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representative Holloway (76th)
# House Concurrent Resolution 53
## (As Adopted by House and Senate)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND COMMENDING MR. JERRY SIMS FOR HIS EXCEPTIONAL SUCCESS IN BUSINESS AND OUTSTANDING LEGACY IN TRACK AND FIELD AT ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY.
WHEREAS, Mr. Jerry Sims, a successful businessman and former extraordinary student-athlete at Alcorn State University, has forged a legacy that will always be remembered; and
WHEREAS, accepting a football scholarship to Alcorn in 1969 from legendary Hall of Fame football coach Marino "The Godfather" Casem, Mr. Sims graduated from Alcorn State University in 1973 as a world-record-holding track and field student-athlete under the tutelage of Hall of Fame track and field coach Dr. Grant "Babe" Dungee; and
WHEREAS, in 1971, Mr. Sims, a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) All American in indoor and outdoor Track and Field, became the co-holder of the world record in the 60-meter indoor dash, with a time of 5.9 during a meet at Northwestern University, and he set a personal best record of 9.2 in the 100-meter outdoor dash at the Grambling Relays; and
WHEREAS, as a student-athlete, Mr. Sims competed internationally for the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), representing the United States, in addition to participating and placing in numerous world-renowned track and field events and venues such as the Texas Relays, Kansas Relays, Drake Relays, and the AAU national championships at Madison Square Garden; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Sims later returned to school to further his education and received a master's degree in science and education from Jackson State University in 1975 and a second master's degree in counseling from Alcorn State University in 1989, and while fulfilling his coursework requirements at Jackson State, he served as a manager at International Telephone and Telegraph Cooperation before returning to Alcorn in 1979 to begin his 35-year career as the fixed asset manager until his retirement in 2014; and
WHEREAS, after more than 50 years, some of Mr. Sims's incredible records still stand at Alcorn State University, and in 2008, he received recognition for his outstanding athletic career with his induction into the Alcorn State University A-Club Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, in addition to his exceptional athletic achievements, Mr. Sims, a highly astute businessman, is the president, founder and owner of Mr. Sparkles Maintenance Services, bringing three decades of successful business operations with him, providing contractual services for numerous Fortune 500 companies, and serving as a consultant for state and local agencies; and
WHEREAS, creating a legacy of positive impact for generations to come, Mr. Sims has demonstrated outstanding leadership in all aspects of his career, and his business has thrived due to superior customer service and his natural ability to build connections with the community; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Sims has generously given of his time and business acumen to his community, having served as vice president of the Jefferson County Hospital Board, and in recognition of his contributions, he has received numerous honors and awards, including the first Bill Pope Property Award in 2013, the Property Manager of the Year Award in 2013, and the 2001 Property Officer of the Year Award from the Mississippi Association of Government Purchasing Property Agents (MAPGPPA); and
WHEREAS, fiercely dedicated to his alma mater, Mr. Sims steadfastly remains a loyal Alcornite and supporter of Alcorn State University to this day, serving as a sponsor for the Alcorn State University Saturday STEM program; and
WHEREAS, outside of his phenomenal athletic accomplishments and distinguished career in business, Mr. Sims is married to Mrs. Irma Sims, and they have one daughter, Yakeika Sims; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize outstanding Mississippians, especially those such as Mr. Jerry Sims, whose remarkable athletic accomplishments, business success and community service bring 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 recognize and commend Mr. Jerry Sims for his exceptional success in business and outstanding legacy in track and field at Alcorn State University.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mr. Jerry Sims and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.