House Resolution 126

A RESOLUTION ACKNOWLEDGING AND COMMENDING THE DEDICATION AND IMPACTFUL CONTRIBUTIONS OF MR. KIERRE RIMMER TO BOLIVAR COUNTY, AS CEO AND FOUNDER OF FOREVER LIFTING YOUTH, INC.

WHEREAS, Kierre Rimmer, the CEO/Founder of Forever Lifting Youth, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization more popularly known as "FlyZone," is deeply invested in his commitment to fulfilling the organization's mission of uplifting and encouraging the youth of the Mississippi Delta; and

WHEREAS, the son of Ms. Catherine Rimmer and Mr. Bernest Clark, Mr. Rimmer is a 1993 graduate of Cleveland's East Side High School, who completed his initial postsecondary educational pursuits in 2018 with a baccalaureate degree from Delta State University, before subsequently attaining a master of science degree in public administration from Strayer University in 2020; and

WHEREAS, an avid community leader/organizer, Mr. Rimmer has utilized the platform provided by FlyZone to partner with various school districts, youth ministries, and youth services across the state of Mississippi to organize numerous community events geared toward educating youth and adults on the keys of effectiveness, reliability, responsibility and relevance; and

WHEREAS, founded by Mr. Rimmer in 2013, FlyZone has become a lasting fixture within the community of Cleveland, Mississippi, and has evolved into a movement-building organization which employs a comprehensive and holistic strategy to working with youth and young adults; and

WHEREAS, during Summer 2018, FlyZone held its first summer enrichment academy at D.M. Smith Elementary School, to great success, and which prompted the 2019 partnership with the North Bolivar Consolidated School District (NBCSD) to host the second annual Summer STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) Camp; and

WHEREAS, with very few organizations across the Mississippi Delta offering a STEAM approach, where youth participate and learn about the various disciplines associated with STEAM and the vast opportunities they provided, FlyZone has adopted a whole-child, centric-focused approach to its implementation of programs and activities that speak to the whole child's interests and limitless possibilities; and

WHEREAS, as a result of Mr. Rimmer's consummate professionalism, unwavering commitment and intrinsic ability to broker partnerships with countless other entities to make great strides in the Mississippi Delta, FlyZone's has instituted a diverse litany of programs or activities in its 11-year history, including: community walks and prayer vigils to combat violence; male conferences and numerous youth conferences on real issues plaguing the community; an annual $1,000.00 Scholarship for graduating seniors participating in FlyZone Academy; weekly FlyZone Academy meetings; serving as host site for the Ambassadors of the Medgar Evers Academy; 3rd Grade Reading Challenge, which features a Kindle Fire giveaway to promote reading; Social Emotional Learning Workshops and Assemblies in partnership with school districts around the state; transportation assistance to college students for enrollment and move-in day purposes; transportation assistance for qualifying high school students to attend college tours; teen pregnancy and prevention workshops in partnership with Delta Health Alliance; annual B.I.K.E (Believe In Kids Excelling) giveaways; and clothing drives and other various community giveaways; and

WHEREAS, while continuing to reside in beloved hometown of Cleveland, Mr. Rimmer has continually enjoyed the love and support of his darling wife, Ronda Rimmer, and their two children, Brooklyn and Braylen; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to commend the steadfast commitment and diligent works of an individual of Mr. Rimmer's caliber, whose heart for service is rooted in showing a return on the investment made by the community into his life, by paying those dividends forward through his community and civic involvement with FlyZone:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby acknowledge and commend the dedication and impactful contributions of Mr. Kierre Rimmer to Bolivar County, as CEO and Founder of Forever Lifting Youth, Inc., (FlyZone), and extend best wishes for continued success in all his future endeavors.

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