MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Canon, Turner, Ferris, Cuevas, Lee

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING SHANNON BLEVINS OF COLUMBUS, MISSISSIPPI, AND PATRICIA WILLIAMS OF BAY ST. LOUIS, MISSISSIPPI, AS RECIPIENTS OF THE PRUDENTIAL SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY AWARD.

WHEREAS, Shannon Blevins, 13, of Columbus, Mississippi, and Patricia Williams, 18, of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, have been named Mississippi's top two youth volunteers for 1999 in The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, a nationwide program honoring young people for outstanding acts of volunteerism; and

WHEREAS, the awards program, now in its fourth year, is sponsored by The Prudential Insurance Company of America in partnership with The National Association of Secondary School Principals; and

WHEREAS, nearly 20,000 high school and middle school students were considered for awards in this year's program; and

WHEREAS, Shannon was nominated by New Hope Middle School in Columbus, and Patricia was nominated by Our Lady Academy in Bay St. Louis; and

WHEREAS, as State Honorees, they each will receive a $1,000.00 award, an engraved silver medallion, and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., in May where they will join the top two honorees from each of the other states for several days of national recognition events, where ten of them will be named America's top youth volunteers for 1999; and

WHEREAS, Shannon earned this award by creating and directing the "New Hope Gospel Choir" to enable young students to develop their singing talents and share fellowship; and

WHEREAS, Patricia earned this award by initiating a Halloween party for young cancer patients on behalf of her Catholic Youth Organization, of which she is president, joining forces with a CYO from a neighboring parish, soliciting funds for prizes and hosting a car wash to raise money to support the event; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize The National Association of Secondary School Principals and The Prudential Insurance Company of America who have brought this well-deserved program to Mississippi's finest young people like Shannon and Patricia:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MISSISSIPPI STATE SENATE, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Shannon Blevins of Columbus, Mississippi, and Patricia Williams of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, as recipients of The Prudential Spirit of Community Award, recognizing their outstanding record of volunteer service, peer leadership and community spirit, and extend the best wishes of the Legislature for their continued success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be presented to Shannon and Patricia, be forwarded to the principals of their respective schools and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.