Enrolled, House Joint Resolution, RECOGNIZING THE cahaba lilly FESTIVAL OF WEST BLOCTON, ALABAMA, ON THE CELEBRATION OF ITS 10TH ANNIVERSARY ON MAY 29, 1999.

WHEREAS, the 10th Anniversary of the Cahaba Lilly Festival of West Blocton, Alabama, will be celebrated on May 29, 1999, and it is appropriate at this time to extend special public recognition and gratitude for the dedicated professional and civic leadership of those individuals who have made this event possible; and

WHEREAS, the botanical name of Hymenocallis coranoria was given the cahaba lilly, a rare wildflower found on the shoals of the Cahaba River near Old Piper, by John LeComte in 1836 and, again, in 1850 by Carl Kunth, and, over the years, the lily has become the poster wildflower of numerous preservation groups, been featured on product labels, telephone book covers, a state Geological Survey publication, and the Mercedes-Benz advertisement background, and displayed in countless newspapers, weekly supplements, and photo-essay articles; and

WHEREAS, local citizens of the West Blocton Improvement Committee, who were instrumental in creating this popular event, were Carey Scurlock, Myrtle Jones, Emma Hicks, Charles Allen, Charles Adams, Greg Blake, Minnie Lucas, and Faye Deerman, along with Kae Allen, Jerrie Reach Latham, and Pat Linton, who has served as Master of Ceremonies; and

WHEREAS, notable participants who have contributed greatly to the cahaba lilly Festival are: Dr. Larry Davenport, Samford University; Paul Franklin, Birmingham photographer-naturalist; Chris Oberholster, Alabama Nature Conservancy; Beth Stewart, Cahaba River Society, Executive Director; Dr. Randy Haddock, field director for the Cahaba River Society; and George Wood of the George Wood Chapter of the Alabama Wildflower Society, and

WHEREAS, the Cahaba Lilly Festival, which includes the election of a Miss cahaba lilly and the presentation of the Cahaba River Society's coveted Cahaba Vision Award, has indeed earned the admiration and respect of those persons who have had the privilege of enjoying this gala annual celebration; now therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, BOTH HOUSES THEREOF CONCURRING, That the cahaba lilly Festival of West Blocton, Alabama, is recognized on the celebration of its 10th Anniversary on May 29, 1999, and, by copy of this resolution for appropriate display, extended best wishes for continued success in future endeavors.