PROFILES IN LEADERSHIP AWARDS BANQUET

"The state is leading the nation in globalization and there have been tremendous strides in education here," Musgrove said, when making his proclamation. "The three people who are being honored here tonight helped make that happen."

Nixon, making his first visit to the Mississippi Delta, also expressed his appreciation of the efforts made by the three honorees. In his speech, he noted that the Delta is part of the true heartland of the nation and that there is a certain can-do spirit evident in the region.

"Individuals such as the three on stage with me tonight are the ones who make our society prosperous," Nixon said. "People who live here are making it and succeeding because they choose to be here and they are making a difference."

Following Nixon's talk, Coopwood gave biographical sketches of the honorees and then presented them with their awards. All three touched on the importance of what the Delta offers while expressing humble gratitude for the tribute given them.

"We talk about homeland security," Kenneth Hood said. "The best security we can have is having a safe, abundant food supply at an affordable price. The Mississippi Delta helps provide such a supply."

Joseph stated that "We must do whatever we do together. We must love one another, work together and prosper and be happy."

"Education is one of the fastest growing industries in the state of Mississippi," said Dr. Newman in his remarks. "It is therefore important for the state to go in the right direction as far as our education system is concerned and we are doing that today."

Coopwood noted that the Profiles In Leadership Awards was created to fill a visible need he saw in paying tribute to those who have done so much for the Delta Business Journal's coverage area.

"It is because of the tremendous efforts of those, such as who we are honoring tonight, that younger entrepreneurs like myself have had success," Coopwood said. "These outstanding leaders made a deliberate decision to stay, work and prosper in the Delta and all of us are the better for it."

Past recipients of the Delta Business Journal's Profiles In Leadership Awards include: Roger Malkin, Charlie Capps, Dr. Kent Wyatt, Henry Paris, Bill Gresham, Aven Whittington, Willis Connell, Jimmie Dick Carter, Ed Kossman and Dick Flowers.