MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2002 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Dearing, Huggins, Farris, King, Smith, Gollott, Chaney, Chamberlin, Williamson, Canon, White (29th), Furniss, Harden, Frazier, Cuevas, Scoper, Hamilton, Dickerson, Hewes, Horhn, Burton, Carlton, Walls, Little, Hyde-Smith, Dawkins, Johnson (19th), Nunnelee, Jackson

Senate Concurrent Resolution 580

(As Adopted by Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING RECIPIENTS OF THE 2002 MISSISSIPPI AGELESS HEROES AWARDS.

     WHEREAS, the Ageless Heroes program was created by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association in 1997 to celebrate the spirit and vitality of our nations' seniors and to showcase the organization's long-time commitment to healthy aging; and

     WHEREAS, although it was organized as a national program, Richard J. Hale, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Mississippi, saw the need for a similar program in our home state; and

     WHEREAS, the Mississippi Ageless Heroes program helps change society's spotlight by promoting the reality of active, healthy lifestyles for older adults; and

     WHEREAS, regional and statewide honorees were selected by independent judges in the categories of Community Involvement, Creativity, Good Neighbor, Love of Learning, New Beginnings and Vitality; and

     WHEREAS, recipients of the 2002 Mississippi Ageless Heroes Awards are as follows:

NORTHERN REGION

Sara Watkins, Southaven        Iris Dickson Mitchell, Greenville

Community Involvement           Creativity

Leota Cardwell, Starkville       Judge Lenore L. Prather, Columbus

Good Neighbor                   Love of Learning

Alene S. Speight, Lula          Mary Ellen Pope, Columbus

New Beginnings                  Vitality

CENTRAL REGION

Ruby Jean Kennedy, Newton        Frances Finane, Raymond

Community Involvement           Creativity

Suretta Nunn, Noxapater        Cora Norman, Ph.D., Jackson

Good Neighbor                   Love of Learning

A. P. Fatherree, Sr., Jackson    Sonny Oliphant, Philadelphia

New Beginnings                  Vitality

SOUTHERN REGION

Earl C. Whittemore, Jr., Saucier Gerry Blessey, Biloxi

Community Involvement           Creativity

Mary Jo Wedgeworth, Laurel      Joseph A. Yore, Hattiesburg

Good Neighbor                   Love of Learning

Pearl Ravencraft, Liberty       Lucille W. Bailey, Waynesboro

New Beginnings                  Vitality

STATEWIDE

Dora Jean Whatley,              Samuel Marshall Gore, Ph.D.,

   Star                           Clinton

Community Involvement           Creativity

Annie M. Lynch,                 Monita McLemore, Ph.D., Ocean

   Florence                       Springs

Good Neighbor                   Love of Learning

Annie Mae Wilson, Carrollton     Pearson Gay, Vicksburg

New Beginnings                  Vitality; and

     WHEREAS, it is the policy of the Mississippi Legislature to commend the spirit and vitality of our state's outstanding senior 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 the recipients of the 2002 Mississippi Ageless Heroes Awards.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be presented to each recipient of the 2002 Mississippi Ageless Heroes Award and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.