MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Farris, Bean

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING MISSISSIPPI'S 1999 MISS HOSPITALITY, JEANNA RUNNELS.

WHEREAS, the 1999 Mississippi Miss Hospitality, Jeanna Runnels, representing Hattiesburg, Mississippi, is the 20-year-old daughter of Belinda Runnels and the late Bobby Runnels of Petal, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, she is the 49th young woman in Mississippi's history to wear the Miss Hospitality crown; and

WHEREAS, Jeanna Runnels is a junior majoring in public relations at the University of Southern Mississippi, where her activities include membership in Phi Eta Sigma and Alpha Lambda Delta honor societies, USM Eagle Connection Hosting and Recruitment Team and the USM Diamond Darlings; she also was chosen as song chair for Delta Delta Delta sorority, USM Student Government Senator for two years, and chairperson for the Senate Bills and Resolutions Committee; and

WHEREAS, Miss Runnels is also involved in community activities including volunteering for Adopt-A-School and Sight for the Blind, and she serves as pianist for her local church as well as participating in youth choir and the church drama team; and

WHEREAS, Jeanna Runnels is a graduate of Petal High School, where among her high school activities, Jeanna was chosen Bible club Vice-President, a three-year delegate to Mississippi's Youth Congress and was a member of Beta and Mu Alpha Theta honor societies; and

WHEREAS, Jeanna Runnels enjoys vocal entertaining, gospel, jazz and classical piano, Southern and ethnic cooking and traveling; and

WHEREAS, Mississippi's Miss Hospitality is a "Mississippi tradition," beginning in 1949 under Governor Fielding Wright and the Mississippi Legislature; and

WHEREAS, Miss Hospitality is entering its 50th year; and

WHEREAS, as Mississippi Miss Hospitality, Jeanna Runnels will travel approximately 30,000 miles across the nation as an ambassador promoting the state's tourism and economic efforts; and

WHEREAS, it is the custom of this Legislature to commend the accomplishments of the young people of this state:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby take great pride in commending and congratulating Mississippi Miss Hospitality 1999, Jeanna Runnels, representing Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Mississippi Miss Hospitality and copies be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.