House Concurrent Resolution 73

(As Adopted by House and Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING AND COMMENDING MR. WILTON CHARLES JACKSON, II, UPON BEING SELECTED AS A USA TODAY COLLEGIATE CORRESPONDENT.

WHEREAS, Mr. Wilton Charles Jackson, II, a flourishing junior at the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) and native of Jackson, Mississippi, is being honored upon being selected as a prestigious USA Today Collegiate Correspondent Program participant; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Jackson, who graduated in the top 10 of his class from Jim Hill High School, is currently a junior broadcast journalism major and is one of only 20 college students from across the country who are participating in the highly sought after journalism correspondent program; and

WHEREAS, having been selected after two competitive rounds of writing submissions, Mr. Jackson will submit, during his virtual journalism internship, 14 stories to USA Today on various topics that affect college students as well as cover hard new stories; and

WHEREAS, as one who is familiar with successes throughout his academic career, Mr. Jackson, a true servant-leader, is known for his dynamic scholastic achievement, extracurricular activities, character, personality and leadership qualities that are exuded by this talented and diverse individual; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Jackson serves in a variety of capacities on the campus of USM, some of which include the following: the distinguished voice of WUSM's Southern Miss Today; news and sports writer for The Student Printz; reporter for The Southern Yearbook; Vice President of broadcast for Southern Miss Association for Black Journalists; participant in the Master Class of the Journalist Chuck Scarborough & Sacremento Bee Editor Gregory Favre; official student ambassador; and resident assistant; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Jackson, an Honors College Scholar and recipient of the 2014 Most Outstanding Male Student Eagle Award, has also received a variety of scholarships, some of which include the Robert C. Cook Memorial Scholarship, Tarsha McLaurin Scholarship, Clyde Kennard Memorial Scholarship, Luckyday Citizenship Scholarship Program and the Hillary H. Holloway Scholarship; and

WHEREAS, in addition to his receipt of several scholarships, Mr. Jackson has served in various leadership roles, some of which include: Vice Chairman of the Student Government Association Judicial Board in which he received the Most Outstanding Male Service Award; attorney general of the Student Government Association; junior advisor and national board student representative of Lambda Sigma Honor Society; Vice President of Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society; junior advisor of Gamma Beta Phi Honor Society and board member of the Legacy Alumni Association; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Jackson, in addition to his academic successes, is known for his selfless service to the community, and some of that service is carried out with Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated, Kappa Iota Chapter at USM, in which he is a member and where he proudly radiates "that Good Old Kappa Spirit"; and

WHEREAS, additionally, Mr. Jackson has been selected to participate in the highly selective Undergraduate Leadership Institute on behalf of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, in which he will perfect his ability to lead in multiple contexts; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Jackson, who aspires to become a sports anchor or digital journalist, is well on his way to pursuing his career goals due to his unique endowment in the area of journalism, which, in turn, will bode well upon his graduation in May of 2015; and

WHEREAS, throughout all of his endeavors, Mr. Jackson has been supported by his parents, Wilton and Jacqueline Jackson, who reared him with great faith in God as well as with a staunch work ethic; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize a young and bright Mississippian such as Mr. Jackson, whose achievements not only bring great honor to the USM community but to this great state as a whole:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby congratulate Mr. Wilton Charles Jackson, II upon his participation in one of the nation's premier journalism opportunities as a USA Today Collegiate Correspondent, and we wish him continued success in all of his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mr. Wilton Jackson, II and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.