BREEDERS’ ASSOCIATION TAKES POSITIVE STEPS TOWARD PROGRESS
AT ANNUAL MEETING IN LEWISBURG
Jerome Ryan Takes Over as President
In a brief but to-the-point acceptance speech, Mr. JEROME RYAN from Hattiesburg, Mississippi, the incoming president of the Breeders’ Association, outlined the proposed program of the new slate of officers. The annual meeting was held May 28 at the Association headquarters in Lewisburg, Tennessee. His speech was as follows:
" Thank you, members of the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders Association, for doing me the honor of electing me your President.
" The Association is a very large one and a very fine one. It belongs to you members, and I want you to know that as its head I will not be a part of any particular clique, faction, or group. You have elected me to represent the membership as a whole, and this I propose to do.
" I would also like to state that I believe the headquarters and the stud books of our organization should remain in Tennessee— here in Lewisburg— and not be moved to California, Virginia, Texas or Mississippi, my home state. There will be no change of address as long as I am your president.
" There could be no finer group of men than those you have elected to serve with me, and it will be a privilege for me to work with them. I am asking full co-operation from each one in performing the duties of his particular committee and in the general work of the Association. There is nc doubt in my mind that I will receive this co-operation. " You can be assured that this will not be a " One-Man Show.” The Officers, the Board, and I will work
18
:> r you and we know you
with us— please let us know your opinions and your problems. You should have a voice in your Association.
" In closing let me remind you again that the Association is now in your hands; the degree of success it will enjoy is up to you. " I thank you.”
This meeting produced results bt yond even the hopes of everyon » There was a positive approach 1 every issue and the new board mac certain that everyone knew that the would have a voice in the manag
ment of the Association. If " orchids” were in order, sure
one would have to be given to M CHARLIE WILLIAMSON of Brer
wood. Charlie, the outgoing vi <
Mr. JEROME RYAN, newly-elecfed presj. dent of the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders Association of America.
ASSOCIATION OFFICERS-( left to right) Mr. Bob Quinn, Director; Mr. Hugh Gillen, Director; Mr. M. G. Williams, Second Vice President; Senator J. T. Kelly, Director; Mr. S. W. Beech, Director; Mr. Malcolm Bess, Director; Dr. B. S. Henry, First Vice President; and Secretary-Treasurer of the Association Mrs. Sharon Brandon of Lewisburg, Tennessee.
president, set the pace for the meeting when he opened the session by
stating, " This is your Association and we want YOU to run it.” He
handled the meeting until the new slate was presented and voted into office, and did an excellent job. To those who worked so hard in the background for the past few months in order to accomplish the end result, we give hearty thanks.
Several key issues were brought
up and voted on by the membership. Perhaps the most significant was the repeal of the " Rule on Artificial Insemination.” The vote from
the floor, after some pro-and-con discussion, produced a 56-to-14 vote in favor of repealing the rule. The Proxy Committee voted their 94 votes with the majority. It is wise
( Continued on: je 20)