Senate Resolution 13

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE WORK OF THE QUITMAN COUNTY DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION AND DESIGNATING NOVEMBER 2, 2002, AS QCDO DAY IN QUITMAN COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI.

WHEREAS, the Quitman County Development Organization was organized and chartered as a not for profit institution in the State of Mississippi on February 16, 1977, for the purpose of furthering economic development in Quitman County, Mississippi, and adjacent areas by promoting the social welfare of the distressed and underprivileged, lessening the burdens of government and combating community deterioration by: providing assistance for individuals, groups and organizations in planning and executing successful economic development projects; combating community deterioration by providing professional counseling of all types; acting as intermediary between various economic development programs; and assisting in the acquisition of charitable contributions, industrial development projects, new industry in the county and adjacent areas, and assistance capital including seed money, which may be necessary for successful economic development projects; and

WHEREAS, over its 25-year history, QCDO has touched the lives of countless people within its service area to other parts of the world; and

WHEREAS, QCDO has effected changes in the development and management of assets of low income and the underprivileged in its service area by recreating other economic development concerns such as the Quitman Tri-County Federal Credit Union, the QCDO/YOU Child Development Center, Youth Opportunities Unlimited, Mississippi Center for Non-Profits, Big River Housing Development Corporation, and others. QCDO has provided technical assistance in the area of community-based development to faith-based institutions statewide, local concerns and other community nonprofit institutions; and

WHEREAS, QCDO, through its work, has caused over $20 Million to be invested in the North Mississippi Delta and the State; and

WHEREAS, this organization has fostered development in the following areas: housing, asset development among low income people, job creation and development, youth entrepreneurship, youth leadership development and youth education programs to further their growth and development, daycare services, micro-enterprise development, advocacy and organizing around issues of community development, senior employment, volunteer programs and social services; and

WHEREAS, QCDO has been led by upstanding and dedicated individuals such as Rev. Carl Brown, Margaret Hopson-Brown, Manuel Killebrew and Robert L. Jackson; and it is with great pride that we recognize the work of this organization which is a civic model for the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the outstanding civic work of the Quitman County Development Organization and designate November 2, 2002, as QCDO Day in Quitman County and in the State of Mississippi.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the Quitman County Development Organization and the Quitman County Board of Supervisors, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.