House Resolution 35

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING MRS. ANNIE M. LYNCH ON BEING NAMED A STATEWIDE MISSISSIPPI AGELESS HERO.

WHEREAS, Mrs. Annie M. Lynch, resident of Florence, Mississippi, and the oldest of six children, learned at an early age how to be a helpmate; and

WHEREAS, desiring to serve others, Mrs. Lynch was inspired by mission trips to Mexico to develop a way to assist the needy in her own backyard; and

WHEREAS, in August 1998, Mrs. Lynch took $168.00 collected from children at her church, $200.00 donated by her daughter and her own social security check and opened the County Line Food Pantry; and

WHEREAS, now 68 years old, Mrs. Lynch was chosen from a pool of more than 200 nominees submitted to the Ageless Heroes program sponsored by Blue Cross & Blue Shield, which honors those persons age 65 and over who have made significant contributions to the State of Mississippi and their communities; and

WHEREAS, in addition to honoring those persons named Ageless Heroes, Blue Cross & Blue Shield also donates $1,000.00 to each hero's favorite charity; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Lynch and her husband, Thomas, drive to Jackson on a weekly basis to purchase 3,500 to 5,000 pounds of food for the nonprofit pantry, which is divided by volunteers and distributed to the residents in southwest Rankin County and northwest Simpson County; and

WHEREAS, with the help of donations from friends and churches and lots of volunteer labor, Mrs. Lynch, through the 24-hour County Line Food Pantry, provides food for 240 family units and provides access to important information on government programs, as well as transportation for interested persons to sign up for these government programs; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives of the State of Mississippi to recognize and pay special tribute to remarkable citizens such as Mrs. Annie M. Lynch, whose outstanding, dedicated public service is an inspiration to all Mississippians, young and old alike:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend Mrs. Annie M. Lynch on being named a statewide Mississippi Ageless Hero and extend to her our heartiest wishes for many more years of good health, peace and happiness and success in all her future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mrs. Annie M. Lynch and members of the Capitol Press Corps.