MS SC538

Recognizes Billy J. "Billy" Orr upon his retirement as Executive Director of the Mississippi State Fair Commission, where he served from 1978 to 1999 and again from 2009 onward.

Acknowledges Orr's leadership during major fairgrounds expansion, including $19 million in legislative authority for renovations, the Kirk Fordice Equine Center ($9 million), and acquisition of property and buildings totaling $1.5 million.

Credits Orr with growing the Mississippi State Fair from approximately 200,000 annual attendees in the 1970s to a record 712,798 attendees in 2014, making it the largest fair in the Deep South.

Highlights Orr's contributions to the Dixie National Livestock Show and Rodeo, which was voted one of the top 5 best indoor rodeos in America, and popular fair features including the Biscuit Booth (distributing over 110,000 free biscuits in 2014) and free entertainment pavilion.

Directs the resolution to be presented to Orr and his family, forwarded to the Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce and the Mississippi Fair Commission, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.