Senate Concurrent Resolution 537

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING DR. RALPH B. VANCE UPON HIS BEING NAMED PRESIDENT OF THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY.

WHEREAS, Dr. Ralph B. Vance, a University of Mississippi Medical Center oncologist, will lead the American Cancer Society as President in the year 2003; and

WHEREAS, the society's announcement naming Dr. Vance first vice president this year means he will become president of the society in 2003 as he moves up a line of succession; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Vance was originally scheduled to become president of the society in 2004, but his succession was accelerated when President Bush named American Cancer Society President-elect Andrew von Eschenbach as Director of the National Cancer Institute (NCI); and

WHEREAS, the American Cancer Society traditionally taps its presidents in advance to ensure businessslike transitions; and

WHEREAS, the American Cancer Society, one of the nation's leading nonprofit health care organizations, is a nationwide community-based voluntary health organization with more than two million volunteers, and has a $750 Million budget dedicated to research grants, cancer control and epidemiology, patient care programs, quality of life issues and advocacy; and

WHEREAS, the society is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy and service; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Ralph B. Vance will be the first Mississippian to serve as president of the society; and

WHEREAS, a Jackson native, Dr. Vance earned a Bachelor of Art's degree from the University of Mississippi, majoring in biology and German, before attending medical school at UMMC; and

WHEREAS, after Dr. Vance graduated from medical school and completed his internship and residency, all at UMMC, the American Cancer Society helped launch his career by granting him a fellowship at UMMC supported by a stipend; and

WHEREAS, in 1979, Dr. Vance volunteered with an American Cancer Society unit in Hinds County, and later became involved with the society's Mississippi division, serving as president in 1982 and, again, in 1986; and

WHEREAS, currently an oncologist at UMMC, Dr. Vance has served in numerous positions, including Chief of Staff and President of University Clinical Associates; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Vance has been a member of the Southwest Oncology Group since 1978, served on four National Cancer Institute committees, is the author of more than 70 papers, abstracts and book chapters, and has made more than 125 speeches or presentations locally, nationally and internationally; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize the accomplishments and contributions of its outstanding citizens:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend Dr. Ralph B. Vance upon his being named President of the American Cancer Society.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be presented to Dr. Ralph Vance and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.