Senate Concurrent Resolution 505

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO ESTABLISH A MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATIVE PRAYER AND MINISTRY CAUCUS; TO SET FORTH THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE CAUCUS AND PROVIDE A STATEMENT OF PURPOSE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

WHEREAS, in order to encourage, train and support legislative leaders in every field who believe in the power of prayer and ministry, and to highlight the vital role that prayer and Judeo-Christian principles have played in the history of our Nation and our state in strengthening the fabric of our society, at all times consistent with the progress of our state and with the well-being of our fellow Mississippians: NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby establish a Mississippi Legislative Prayer and Ministry Caucus. The caucus shall be organized under the following guidelines:

(1) Any member or staff of the Mississippi Senate or Mississippi House of Representatives may become a member of the Mississippi Legislative Prayer and Ministry Caucus on a voluntary basis. Membership application shall be made in writing and a member may resign. There is no membership fee.

(2) There shall be two (2) Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives for a four-year term and two (2) Senators appointed by the Lieutenant Governor for a four-year term to work with a Chairman of the Mississippi Legislative Prayer and Ministry Caucus, who shall be named jointly by the Speaker of the Mississippi House of Representatives and the Lieutenant Governor of the State of Mississippi for a four-year term, whose job shall be to coordinate, direct and facilitate the mission of the Mississippi Legislative Prayer and Ministry Caucus.

(3) To the extent practicable, the meetings and business affairs of the Mississippi Legislative Prayer and Ministry Caucus shall be held in the New Capitol Building in Jackson, Mississippi, but alternate locations may be designated by the Chairman.

(4) The Chairman of the Mississippi Legislative Prayer and Ministry Caucus is authorized to serve as the Facilitator of the Legislative Prayer and Ministry Caucus. The Facilitator shall not be compensated for his services and the position shall be nondenominational. The Facilitator shall be responsible for the day-to-day administration of the Mississippi Legislative Prayer and Ministry Caucus. The duties of the Facilitator shall be to attend the meetings of the caucus, to offer prayer, when requested, and in addition, to minister and counsel the members of the caucus and provide Bible study.

(5) The goal of the Mississippi Legislative Prayer and Ministry Caucus is to offer hope to all citizens, to offer guidance to help sustain legislative leaders, to offer multiple avenues of communication in order to keep abreast of important issues, to provide educational material needed to form and live life according to a Biblical world view, and to offer practical ways to get involved and minister to all those persons in and around the Capitol.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution shall be transmitted to appropriate officials with the various religious denominations in the State of Mississippi for their information and participation.