Contact: Sammy McDavid
As fall exams ended Thursday [Dec. 14] at Mississippi State, a group of university students with a keen interest in politics began final preparations to attend one of the most historical presidential inaugurals in American history.
Twenty members of the John C. Stennis-G.V. "Sonny" Montgomery Association will travel to Washington, D.C., to join thousands of others assembled Jan. 20 on the west side of the capitol as George W. Bush is inaugurated as 43rd president of the United States. They will depart together Jan. 18 from Memphis, Tenn., and stay in the Georgetown University Conference Center until returning on the 21st.
Named for two prominent Mississippi State graduates who spent decades in Congress during the latter half of the 20th century, the association was formed two years ago to promote a deeper interest in the political process among those enrolled in the state's largest university. Each year, the organization's most active participants are treated to a Washington trip.
Last year, the group visited with members of Mississippi's congressional delegation before attending sessions of the House of Representatives and Senate. They also toured the offices of Yazoo City native Haley Barbour, one of Washington's leading lobbyists and Republican Party strategists, and the Democratic National Committee.
Marty Wiseman, executive director of MSU's John C. Stennis Institute of Government, is the organization's sponsor. He and institute research analyst Stephen Williams will accompany the group as they help conclude the century's most controversial U.S. presidential election.
"We have a total membership of more than 40 representing many different majors, but these 20 students are the ones who consistently took leadership roles in a range of events and activities the association sponsored during the fall semester," Wiseman said.
In addition to attending the inaugural and presidential parade that follows down Pennsylvania Avenue, Wiseman said the students are to be special guests at a series of related social activities sponsored by members of the state congressional delegation. Staff members in the offices of Sen. Thad Cochran and Reps. Chip Pickering and Gene Taylor have "provided major assistance in planning and coordinating the students' itinerary," he added.
While all understand the significance of this particular ceremony, Wiseman said the MSU students probably will come to appreciate the experience even more as they grow older.
"We had no idea when planning this annual Washington visit just how significant an event it would be," he said. "Now, these young men and women will be able to tell their grandchildren they were 'there' when the 2000 election came to its formal conclusion.
"All presidential campaigns and inaugurals can be considered historic, but certainly this will be 'one for the ages.'"
Stennis-Montgomery members traveling to the 2001 inaugural include (by hometown):
BAXTERVILLE-Senior Kevin W. Martin, a political science and criminal justice major and the son of Mr. and Mrs. Lucky Martin.
CORINTH-Graduate student Steve Janzen, a forest products major and the son of Mr. and Mrs. Rudy Janzen.
DeWITT, Ark.-Junior Susannah Rogers, a political science major and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Rogers.
DIAMONDHEAD-Junior Page Austin, a political science major and the daughter of Wayne Austin.
GULFPORT-Sophomore Lynn Parker, a general business administration major and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Parker.
HOUSTON-Junior Brandon Jolly, a political science major and the son of Mr. and Mrs. Russell Jolly.
INVERNESS-Freshman Jane Anna Harris, a political science major and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Harris.
JACKSON-Seniors and twin sisters Eushekia and Tamikia Carr, political science majors and the daughters of Laurene Carr; and freshman Frank E. "Smith" Lilley Jr., a political science major and the son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank E. Lilley Sr.
LAUREL-Senior Benjamin Needham, a political science and history major who is president of the Stennis-Montgomery Association. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Homer Needham.
LOUISVILLE-Senior Niles D. Puckett, a political science major and the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ronnie Puckett.
MOGILEV, Belarus-Senior Natalia Tikhonekova, an economics major [parents not listed].
NEWTON-Junior Rebecca Wade, a political science major and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Wade.
OXFORD-Senior and MSU Student Association President Jenny Reeves, a political science major and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Reeves.
POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C.-Sophomore Amanda Stelzer, a political science and history major and the daughter of Greg Stelzer and Mr. and Mrs. Dan Sanner.
SATARTIA-Junior James L. Cresswell Jr., a political science major and the son of Mr. and Mrs. James L. Cresswell Sr.
STARKVILLE-Senior Alex Karr, son of Mr. and Mrs. Bob Karr; sophomore Nyerere Tryman, the son of Mfanya Tryman of Starkville and Maggie Mixon of Jackson; and sophomore Parker Wiseman, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Marty Wiseman. All are political science majors.