Senate Resolution 12

(As Adopted by Senate)

A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND COMMENDING MR. FRANK JACKSON, PROGRAM DIRECTOR OF THE CENTER TO REDUCE CANCER HEALTH DISPARITIES WITH THE NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE, FOR HIS CONTRIBUTION TO CANCER CONTROL IN THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI.

WHEREAS, cancer incidence rates are 10% higher and cancer mortality rates are two times higher among African-Americans than for Caucasians; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Frank Jackson, Program Director of the Disparities Research Branch of the Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities with the National Cancer Institute (NCI), is responsible for securing funding for the Deep South Network for Cancer Control; and

WHEREAS, this NCI sponsored network is a collaborative project of the University of Southern Mississippi, Jackson State University, Tuskegee University, the University of Alabama and the University of Alabama in Birmingham to improve cancer awareness in the African-American population in both poor, rural areas and urban areas of Mississippi and Alabama, including 20 counties in the Mississippi Delta and two counties in South Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, the 5-year project's focus is initially on breast and cervical cancers and on racial disparities in cancer incidence, and will be expended over time to focus also on prostate, colo-rectal cancer, tobacco as a cancer risk factor and cancer prevention and control trials; and

WHEREAS, October 2002 has been designated as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in Mississippi to emphasize that early detection and prompt treatment can significantly reduce suffering and deaths caused by this disease; and

WHEREAS, Frank Jackson is a national resource for cancer awareness and cancer research and the State of Mississippi is indeed fortunate to have his assistance and support in securing this grant for lifesaving cancer research for Mississippians:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby recognize and commend Mr. Frank Jackson, Program Director of the Disparities Research Branch of the Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities with the National Cancer Institute (NCI) of Bethesda, Maryland, for his many contributions to cancer control in Mississippi, and extend to him the best wishes of the State Senate.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Mr. Jackson at ceremonies on October 31, 2002, be forwarded to Freddie White-Johnson, Project Manager, Deep South Network for Cancer Control and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.