MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Harden

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE 36 TRIO PROGRAMS AT THE STATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING AND DESIGNATING SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2000, AS NATIONAL TRIO DAY 2000.

WHEREAS, National TRIO Day was designated by concurrent resolution on February 24, 1986 by the 99th Congress and has been celebrated annually ever since in recognition of the importance of TRIO Programs in preparing nontraditional college bound students to seek, pursue, and excel at educational endeavors beyond the secondary level; and

WHEREAS, TRIO Programs: Educational Talent Search, Upward Bound, Upward Bound Math & Science, Student Support Services, Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program and Educational Achievement Centers, were established more than thirty years ago to assist low-income students overcome class, social academic, and cultural barriers to higher education. These programs provide invaluable services to low-income and/or first generation college goers to heighten their chances of successful matriculation at the post-secondary education level;

WHEREAS, Currently, there are 36 TRIO Programs at 19 Mississippi institutions of higher education, the MS Department of Education and the MS Band of Choctaw Indians. These programs are presented jointly by the Mississippi Association of Equal Opportunity program personnel (MAEOPP). More than 1200 low-income and/or first generation college going students, between the ages of 11 and 27, benefit from the services provided by these TRIO Programs. These students represent the highest aspirations and best hope for the American dream and Mississippi's future. By lifting these students to new academic heights, TRIO Programs are helping to raise the academic standards, expectations, and aspirations for Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, With TRIO Program graduates found in every occupation mentionable: doctor, lawyer, politician, counselor, teacher, business owner, - it is obvious that TRIO Programs have played a major role in decreasing Mississippi's drop-out rate by encouraging and supporting high school completion, increasing the number of college graduates by providing needed guidance and support for successful matriculation and reducing defaults in the Mississippians loan programs by helping low-income students better understand their financial obligations; and

WHEREAS, As we embark into the new millennium, the MAEOPP TRIO Programs plan to continue encouraging its students to seek, pursue, and conquer the challenges of higher education by "Facing the New Millennium Head-On" as we celebrate National TRIO Day 2000 on Saturday, February 26, 2000 at the T.B. Ellis Physical Education Complex on the campus of Jackson State University:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the 36 TRIO Programs at the various state institutions of higher learning in Mississippi, designate Saturday, February 26, 2000, as National TRIO Day 2000 in Mississippi and encourage citizens throughout the state to honor this observance and support the educational aspirations of TRIO students throughout our great State.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented at National TRIO Day 2000, and be forwarded to the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.