MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2020 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Kirby, Barnett, Blount, Butler, Chassaniol, Frazier, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Norwood, Simmons (12th), Simmons (13th), Witherspoon

Senate Concurrent Resolution 520

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING THE MANAGEMENT AND STAFF OF MISSISSIPPI PUBLIC BROADCASTING (MPB) ON THE OCCASION OF THE CELEBRATION OF ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY ON FEBRUARY 1, 2020.

     WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we join the Board of Directors, management and staff of Mississippi Public Broadcasting (MPB) in celebrating its 50th Anniversary on February 1, 2020; and

     WHEREAS, the Mississippi Authority for Educational Television, doing business as Mississippi Public Broadcasting, develops and distributes content through its statewide network of public broadcasting television and radio channels, interactive video, web, and outreach activities that provide educational, cultural, and informational programming and services to preschoolers, K-12 students and teachers, adult learners, and to all citizens of Mississippi.  The agency is responsible for the administration, operation, control and supervision of educational television and radio in Mississippi; and

     WHEREAS, by showcasing the significance of early childhood education and early literacy skills, MPB productions harness the power of evidence-based approach to reading instruction; and

     WHEREAS, MPB initiatives and productions have included multimedia partnerships with WGBH, the Barksdale Reading Institute, Sirius Thinking, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the United States Department of Education, Mississippi Department of Education, and Mississippi Community College Board, that includes a website, books, videos, parent workshops, teachers' guides, and other outreach materials, impacting the lives of countless children in all 82 Mississippi counties; and

     WHEREAS, MPB collaborates with the Mississippi Department of Employment Security, Veterans Benefits Administration and other workforce development organizations to produce content focused on the essential skills needed for Mississippi students, veterans and workers to succeed in job markets of today and tomorrow; and

     WHEREAS, one of MPB's critical services is to assist in providing public safety to all Mississippians in times of crises by utilizing its unique statewide broadcasting network to carry an emergency alert signal to every resident in the state, keeping citizens informed during disasters, in partnership with Mississippi Emergency Management Agency; and

     WHEREAS, we join the national public television community in commending Mississippi Public Broadcasting for its dedication via education, television and radio programs that bring honor to their studio, their agency, their community and to the State of Mississippi:

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize and salute the management and staff of Mississippi Public Broadcasting (MPB) on the occasion of the celebration of its 50th Anniversary on February 1, 2020, and extend our best wishes to the Mississippi Public Broadcasting team for this high honor.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the Executive Director of Mississippi Public Broadcasting, forwarded to the Executive Director of the Mississippi Arts Commission, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.