Senate Resolution 8

(As Adopted by Senate)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING MRS. JOHNNIE PEARL GRIFFIN RANDLE AND EXPRESSING APPRECIATION FOR MRS. RANDLE'S CONTRIBUTIONS TO HER COMMUNITY, STATE AND COUNTRY.

WHEREAS, Mrs. Johnnie Pearl Griffin Randle is a concerned citizen, a dedicated church worker and a civic activist; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Randle is the widow of the late Ashley Randle, Jr., and is the devoted mother of five children; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Randle, herself the oldest of seven children, had to discontinue her own schooling at the age of 17 in order to help rear her younger siblings due to the death of their mother; and

WHEREAS, when the opportunity arose, Mrs. Randle studied and earned her G.E.D. and accomplished further study at the Lowndes County Parents and Teachers Center; and

WHEREAS, over the years Mrs. Randle has touched many lives; and

WHEREAS, in 1989 Mrs. Randle was elected National President of the National West Point Alumni, Incorporated, which is composed of five chapters: West Point, Mississippi; Detroit/Flint, Michigan; Chicago, Illinois; St. Louis/East St. Louis, Missouri; and Washington, D.C./East Coast chapters; and

WHEREAS, since that time Mrs. Randle has more than ably served in her dual roles as President of both the West Point Chapter and the national organization; and

WHEREAS, it is Mrs. Randle's firmly held belief it is the responsibility of organizations of this type and the members thereof to stand up to the challenge of helping young people go on to college and make a better life for themselves, thus improving the communities in which we all live; and

WHEREAS, under her leadership, the National West Point Alumni, Incorporated, has been very successful in investing in the youth of our nation through an educational scholarship fund; and

WHEREAS, the fund has increased its annual generosity from first awarding $100.00 each to five college-bound students to its current scholarship funding of $1,000.00 annually to three college-bound high school graduates of academic excellence; and

WHEREAS, since its inception, the organization has successfully awarded over $35,000.00 in scholarships to outstanding high school graduates, and has been able to donate other monies to deserving students who are having financial difficulties and demonstrate a need for assistance; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Randle has inspired the organization to be ever mindful that achievement and progress are only possible through unified and cooperative efforts, and demonstrates this leadership on a daily basis; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Randle has been instrumental in orchestrating numerous fundraising activities and works unceasingly to increase the organizations' membership; and

WHEREAS, due to her leadership, the National West Point Alumni membership has grown threefold since 1989; and

WHEREAS, numerous successful reunions in chapter states have been held, as well as several Caribbean cruises; and

WHEREAS, the West Point Chapter is particularly proud to be the host of the Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Black-tie Banquet held in West Point, and attributes the genesis of this idea to Mrs. Randle; and

WHEREAS, it is the practice of this Legislature to recognize and commend those citizens of this great state who give so much of themselves to contribute to the common good and sense of community so integral to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby recognize and commend Mrs. Johnnie Pearl Griffin Randle for her contributions to her community, nation and our youth through her untiring efforts as President of both the National West Point Alumni, Incorporated, and the West Point Chapter, and thank her for her vision and leadership on the occasion of the 2002 Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Black-tie Banquet in West Point, Mississippi.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be presented to Mrs. Randle.