Senate Concurrent Resolution 585

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING MISS MISSISSIPPI'S OUTSTANDING TEEN LAURA LEE LEWIS OF BROOKHAVEN, MISSISSIPPI.

WHEREAS, a native of Brookhaven, Mississippi, Laura Lee Lewis has been crowned 2009 Miss Mississippi's Outstanding Teen. She competed for Miss America's Outstanding Teen in August 2009; and

WHEREAS, Laura Lee is singing at the Miss America Pageant in Las Vegas, Nevada, which will be televised live on national television on Thursday, January 28, 2010; and

WHEREAS, Laura Lee is active in her community promoting her personal platform, H.E.R.O. - Encouraging Children to Make Good Choices; and

WHEREAS, Laura Lee has developed four guidelines to help youth remember how to be like the superheroes, by using the word "HERO":

H Honor your parents, be honorable, and most of all honor yourself;

E Excel in everything you do;

R Reach for goals;

O Overcome obstacles through positive actions/reactions; and

WHEREAS, her platform empowers children at a young age not to give in to peer pressure and to stay true to who they are by giving them a model (the superhero) they aspire to be, as well as easy, memorable steps to follow. By giving children a clear picture of what it takes to become their own superhero and person of integrity, she is helping emPOWER them to be successful and make good choices throughout their adolescent years and ultimately their lives; and

WHEREAS, Laura Lee has been asked to sit on the Department of Health Teen Summit, sponsored by Jackson State University, debating the effects of hip hop culture on teens; and

WHEREAS, Laura Lee is a rising junior at Brookhaven High School, where she is an honor roll student and recipient of several scholastic awards. She has received numerous community endorsements and has presented her program to elementary school classes, student bodies, churches, club meetings and parties. Her goal is to present her program to Boys and Girls Clubs throughout Mississippi, and eventually the nation. Laura Lee is active in community and school theatre having played lead roles in Grease and High School Musical 1 and 2. She has placed 1st and won many overall talent contests throughout the State of Mississippi. Laura Lee is a featured vocalist on a compilation album for Airtight Records. She has performed at Walt Disney World in Florida and appeared on television in the Walt Disney Christmas Parade in 2008; and

WHEREAS, Laura Lee is the daughter of Mark and Lorin Lewis of Brookhaven and the niece of Secretary of the Senate Tressa Guynes, and it is with great pride that we recognize this young Mississippi citizen who has brought honor to her community and to her state:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Miss Mississippi's Outstanding Teen for 2009 Laura Lee Lewis of Brookhaven, Mississippi, and extend to her and her family our best wishes for future success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Laura Lee Lewis and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.