MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Smith, Kirby

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE MISSISSIPPI STATE HOSPITAL COMMUNITY SERVICES HOMELESS PROGRAM UPON ITS RECEIPT OF THE GOVERNOR'S EXCELLENCE IN THE ARTS COMMUNITY ARTS AWARD.

WHEREAS, since its inception, the Mississippi State Hospital Community Services Homeless Program has successfully used creative arts activities to encourage the homeless to utilize the medical and counseling services available to them; and

WHEREAS, this program, also known as Stubbs House, has provided excellent opportunities for esteem building and empowerment through artistic expression; and

WHEREAS, mobile art and writing workshops, public exhibitions of homeless art, and publication of selected pieces in a yearly magazine aptly titled, "The Survivor," have increased public awareness and heightened understanding toward this rapidly growing segment of our society; and

WHEREAS, a national traveling exhibit called "Doorways: Expressions from the Heart of America's Homeless," which began touring in 1994, included works of art from the Stubbs House workshops; and

WHEREAS, "Outreach Through Art" seminars were conducted by the program last year for the Southeastern Regional Conference on Homelessness and also for Women in Community Services in New Orleans; and

WHEREAS, in October, workshop artists have been invited to exhibit their work in Memphis in conjunction with National Homeless Awareness Month; and

WHEREAS, it is with pride that we recognize one of our finest state agencies for excellence in the arts:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Mississippi State Hospital Community Services Homeless Program upon its receipt of the Governor's Awards for Excellence in the Arts Community Arts Award.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to representatives of the program at the awards ceremony on March 19, 1999, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.