MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2001 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Michel, Smith, Kirby

A RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING PINEY WOODS COUNTRY LIFE SCHOOL FOR BEING THE FIRST NATIONAL RECIPIENT OF A DIRECT T.V. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING SERVICE, AND COMMENDING DIRECT T.V. FOR CHOOSING THIS SCHOOL IN MISSISSIPPI FOR BEGINNING AND DONATING THIS STATE-OF-THE-ART SERVICE.

WHEREAS, the first Direct T.V. Satellite System was sold in Jackson, Mississippi, on June 17, 1994; and

WHEREAS, from that first world launch, Direct T.V. now serves some eight million-plus customers around the world; and

WHEREAS, the digital picture and CD quality sound are being experienced from the farm to urban duplexes; and

WHEREAS, Direct T.V. is again launching a new program in Mississippi at Piney Woods Country Life School; and

WHEREAS, through that program, receivers and programming will be provided at no charge in order to make education through satellite programming a learning experience; and

WHEREAS, Piney Woods Country Life School, in rural Rankin County, an accredited nonprofit school for disadvantaged and troubled youth, will be the pilot program for the country; and

WHEREAS, a free programming package - SCHOOL CHOICE - offers more than 60 channels of educational programming from network, including C-SPAN, CNN, Discovery Channel, The History Channel, A&E and The Learning Channel; and

WHEREAS, special issues of DIRECTV - The Guide will be distributed to participating schools; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the civic and educational benefits of Direct T.V. Satellite service, recognize the charitable donation of this service by a company giving something back to the state where it started, and recognize the honor of having this technological advancement introduced in the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby congratulate Piney Woods Country Life School for being the first recipient of a Direct T.V. educational programming service and commend Direct T.V. for choosing the Piney Woods Country Life School for donating and beginning its educational programming "state-of-the-art" services, and wish both continued success in their educational and business endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be presented at announcement ceremonies to be held on March 27, 2001, to representatives of Piney Woods Country Life School, Direct T.V. and Cowboy Maloney's Electric City and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.