February 10, 2003
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Marjory Walker
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TAMPA, FL – The late Jack Hamilton, a cotton producer, ginner and warehouseman in Louisiana and a determined leader in the U.S. cotton industry, is the recipient of the 2003 Oscar Johnston Lifetime Achievement Award.
The announcement was made here today at the NCC’s annual meeting. Hamilton’s widow, Arabelle, accepted the award.
The annual award, established in 1997, is named for Oscar Johnston, whose vision, genius and tireless efforts were foremost in the organization and shaping of the NCC more than 60 years ago. The award is presented to an individual, now deceased, who served the cotton industry, through the NCC, over a significant period of his or her active business career. Recognizing more than office or position held, the award honors someone who, like Johnston, exerted a positive influence on the industry and who demonstrated character and integrity as well as perseverance and maturation during that service.
Outgoing NCC Chairman Kenneth Hood said, "Jack’s dedication and commitment to the cotton industry was known across the country, and the leadership he provided was invaluable."
Hamilton served the NCC continuously from 1969 until his death in December 2001. That service included seven years as a delegate, two years as a member of its Board, chairman of the Joint Cotton Industry Bale Packaging Committee, president of The Cotton Foundation, NCC treasurer, NCC president in 1998 and its Board chairman in 1999. At the time of his death he was an advisor to the NCC Board.
Hood said Hamilton, who was former president of Hollybrook Warehouse Company, not only was one of the leading innovators in cotton production and ginning, but a leading advocate for improvements in cotton processing and the classing system.
The recipient of Cotton Grower magazine’s Cotton Achievement Award in 1972, Hamilton was an organizer and first president of the Louisiana Cotton Producers Association, and was president of both the Louisiana Warehouse Association and the Southern Cotton Ginners Association. He also served as chairman of Cotton Incorporated from 1988-1990, and was a director to Cotton Council International.
Previous Oscar Johnston Lifetime Achievement Award recipients are: Sykes Martin, a Courtland, AL, producer; George C. Cortright, Jr., a Rolling Fork, MS, producer and former NCC President; Walter Montgomery, Sr., a Spartanburg, SC, textile manufacturer; William Rhea Blake, a former NCC executive vice president; and Roger Malkin, long-time chairman and CEO of Delta and Pine Land Company.
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