Bill Text: MS HR6 | 2016 | Regular Session | Engrossed
Bill Title: B&G Equipment; commend and congratulate upon being a pivotal part of the forest industry.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2016-01-28 - Enrolled Bill Signed [HR6 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2016-HR6-Engrossed.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2016 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representative Bounds
House Resolution 6
(As Adopted by House)
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING B&G EQUIPMENT AND THE BATES FAMILY UPON BEING A PIVOTAL PART OF THE FOREST INDUSTRY FOR NEARLY 40 YEARS.
WHEREAS, B&G Equipment was founded as a truck and trailer parts store by brothers-in-law, W.J. Bates and Donald Grantham, who also operated a logging crew in Philadelphia, Mississippi, and after 40 years, this enterprise has stood the test of time becoming an integral part of Mississippi's forest industry; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Bates' and Mr. Grantham's success can be traced back to the moment in time when these partners made a pivotal decision to diversify their truck and trailer parts business while moving out of the logging business, a transition that started with a single Clark Log Skidder being placed in front of their parts store in 1977, which sold out immediately and facilitated the negotiations for them to become a Clark Equipment dealer, a financially savvy venture; and
WHEREAS, B&G Equipment found its niche in the market place and watched their customer base grow by leaps and bounds leading the great businessmen to expand by opening a second location in Hammond, Louisiana, to meet their customers' needs, continually growing to include multiple establishments throughout Mississippi, including locations in Magnolia, Hattiesburg and Iuka, which solidified the developing of strong relationships with Prentice Loader, Husky Dealer, Tigercat and Prentice/Hyro-Ax, the latter with whom they formed one of their first partnerships in the 1970s that lasted until 2011 selling the company's rubber tire cutter; and
WHEREAS, in January 2005, W.J. Bates purchased his partner, Donald Grantham's interest in B&G Equipment creating a Bates dynasty in the forestry community with the business' ownership being held by W.J. and his wife Carolyn along with their four children, Doug Bates, Debbie Bates Webb, Tammy Bates Lee and Melissa Bates Kelley, who collaboratively agreed to further grow the business by opening a fifth location in Moundville, Alabama, in 2015 and making their family's connection to the industry stronger by owning 1,200 acres of timber land; and
WHEREAS, the Bates family is truly a crucial part of the forest industry in Mississippi with eight members of the Bates family working in the business, they have together been a supporter and sponsor of Mississippi Forestry Association with their patriarch W.J. stating "Our business is based solely on the forestry industry so it is important for us, as a company and family, to support the forestry community"; and
WHEREAS, the family has had a remarkable impact on the community by bringing a skidder to the "Touch-A-Truck" event where they introduced children, through an interactive experience, to the uses of wood and the role forestry plays in Mississippi, as an agrarian state, inspiring the next generation to engage in a large part of our local economy and enjoy the great outdoors; and
WHEREAS, the Bates family took over B&G Equipment in 2005 mere months before the beginning of the Great Recession and the crash of the housing market, but they not only survived this financial crisis that could have destroyed their livelihood, they thrived through the innovative and forward thinking of their business-savvy CEO, W.J. Bates; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Bates who has devoted his life to the family business, which allows him to make a living in the natural outdoor element that has brought him great joy from the onset of his childhood, still managed to stay involved in his local community as a deacon and Sunday school teacher at Bethsaida Baptist Church, and through the Philadelphia Community Development Partnership and the Neshoba County Forestry Association, proving as Albert Einstein said, "A life lived for others is a life worthwhile"; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to honor and recognize the legacy of success of Mississippi's business owners and businesses that have made substantial strides in promoting the limitless economic potential as has been evidenced by the practices and accomplishments of the B&G Equipment Company and its founding partner W.J. Bates:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate B&G Equipment and the Bates Family upon 40 years of service to the forest industry.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to B&G Equipment, the Bates Family, and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.
