MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Bryan

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING SAM HASKELL OF AMORY, MISSISSIPPI, SENIOR VICE-PRESIDENT AND WEST COAST HEAD OF TELEVISION FOR THE WILLIAM MORRIS AGENCY, INC., UPON HIS RECEIPT OF THE HIGHEST HONOR AWARDED BY THE ALLIANCE FOR CHILDREN'S RIGHTS. 

WHEREAS, on Wednesday, March 12, 1997, The Alliance for Children's Rights will honor Samuel Bond Haskell III, a native of Amory, Mississippi, Senior Vice-President and West Coast Head of Television for the William Morris Agency, Inc., and Chairman of the Board for the Mary Kirkpatrick Haskell Scholarship Foundation; and

WHEREAS, in a career that spans 19 years at the William Morris Agency, Sam Haskell has distinguished himself as the agency's West Coast Head of Television; he is responsible for overseeing the packaging of network shows including "Fresh Prince of Bel Air," "Mad About You," "The Cosby Show," "Suddenly Susan," "Sisters," "Mr. Rhodes," "Malcolm & Eddie" and "Diagnosis Murder," to name a few; Mr. Haskell also personally represents over forty of the agency's top actors, writers, producers and directors; and

WHEREAS, in addition, Mr. Haskell founded the Mary Kirkpatrick Haskell Scholarship Foundation in memory of his mother; The Foundation provides scholarships to deserving students attending college in Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, every other year Mr. Haskell stages a benefit concert in his hometown of Amory, Mississippi, and to date, these concerts have raised over half a million dollars for Mississippi students, an achievement made possible by the participation of Mr. Haskell's clients and close friends from the Hollywood community; and

WHEREAS, The Alliance for Children's Rights is the only nonprofit legal services organization in Los Angeles devoted solely to helping children living in poverty; The Alliance provides free services to impoverished children who are poorly served or not served at all by an overburdened social service system; to provide these services, The Alliance recruits, trains and supports volunteer attorneys; and

WHEREAS, Los Angeles is home to the nation's largest population of abused and neglected children. These children share a common need for a trained, sensitive advocate who understands prevailing laws and regulations and whose sole purpose is to ensure that they have the opportunity to reach their fullest potential; and The Alliance helps children in foster care, homeless children, children affected by HIV/Aids, children who are mentally or physically disabled and children in need of special education; The Alliance is often the last line of defense for these children; and

WHEREAS, we can think of no one more special, dedicated and deserving of being honored by The Alliance than Sam Haskell:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MISSISSIPPI STATE SENATE, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Sam Haskell of Amory, Mississippi, upon his receipt of the prestigious annual award of The Alliance for Children's Rights, and wish him continued success in his future charitable and business endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be presented to Sam Haskell and be made available to members of the Capitol Press Corps.