08 LC 34
1737
Senate
Resolution 1061
By:
Senators Jackson of the 24th, Powell of the 23rd and Grant of the 25th
A
RESOLUTION
Celebrating
the life of James Roy "Pop" Lewis and dedicating a highway in his memory; and
for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
James Roy "Pop" Lewis will always be remembered by the citizens of Lincoln
County for his many contributions to the community and to the world of bluegrass
and gospel music; and
WHEREAS,
he was born in Pickens, South Carolina, on September 22, 1905, and at the age of
five years old, he moved to Lincoln County, Georgia; and
WHEREAS,
on October 25, 1925, at the age of 20, he eloped with the former Pauline
Holloway with whom he had eight children; and
WHEREAS,
through his leadership, The Lewis Family, also known as the "First Family of
Bluegrass Gospel," moved from singing on front porches in the late 1940's to
performing in such places as the Lincoln Center in New York City; the Grand Ole
Opry in Nashville, Tennessee; and the Baird Auditorium at the Smithsonian
Institute in Washington, D.C.; and
WHEREAS,
The Lewis Family holds the record for the longest running gospel music show in
America, airing for 38 years from 1954 to 1992 on WJBF in Augusta, Georgia;
and
WHEREAS,
Pop Lewis received numerous awards including his induction into the Georgia
Music Hall of Fame in 1992, his induction into the Southern Gospel Music
Association Hall of Fame in 2000, the Distinguished Achievement Award from the
International Bluegrass Music Association in 2001, and a Lifetime Achievement
Award from SGN Scoops
Magazine; and
WHEREAS,
on the sad day of March 24, 2004, at the age of 98, Mr. Lewis departed this
life.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA that, in memory of
a life well lived, the portion of SR 378 in Lincoln County, Georgia, between the
city limits of the City of Lincolnton and the Wilkes County boundary, be
dedicated as the James Roy "Pop" Lewis Memorial Highway.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed
to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to the family of James Roy
"Pop" Lewis and the Department of Transportation.