Senate Resolution 45

(As Adopted by Senate)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING STARKVILLE RESIDENT ELIZABETH GWIN FOR HER RECEIPT OF THE BLUE CROSS & BLUE SHIELD AGELESS HERO AWARD FOR 2003.

WHEREAS, whether she is working with the Girl Scouts, working with her church, the Mississippi University for Women, Meals-On-Wheels, or any one of a number of community organizations, Elizabeth Gwin's enthusiasm for helping others is undeterred by her age; and

WHEREAS, in recognition of her tireless community efforts, Elizabeth Gwin was honored as a Mississippi Ageless Hero on January 28th in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, where the featured speaker was Apollo 13 Astronaut Captain James Lovell; and

WHEREAS, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi sponsors the Mississippi Ageless Heroes program to recognize seniors who show that life after age 65 can be a time of activity, vitality and accomplishment. Each hero is a Mississippi resident who represents achievements in one of six categories: Community Involvement, Creativity, Good Neighbor, Love of Learning, New Beginnings and Vitality. Six heroes each are chosen from the northern, central and southern regions of Mississippi. Another six heroes represent the state as a whole; and

WHEREAS, a regional honoree in the Vitality category, Elizabeth, 93, is a long-time Girl Scout leader. In an effort to help children with special needs enjoy the benefits of scouting, Elizabeth created a camp session for "special children" at Lake Tik-A-Witha. The session now bears her name and she goes each summer to help and train the session's workers; and

WHEREAS, Elizabeth is a volunteer for Meals-On-Wheels and regularly takes one of the more demanding routes through town. She was the national President of the MUW Alumnae Association and has received the Alumnae Achievement Award; and

WHEREAS, Elizabeth was one of more than 400 senior citizens nominated for the Sixth Annual Mississippi Ageless Heroes program. Judges chose 24 nominees, ranging in age from 67 to 93, to receive the 2003 awards. The heroes' activities include working to better their communities, pursuing advanced educational degrees, ministering to the needy and those in prison, storytelling and excelling in sports; and

WHEREAS, the achievements of these Ageless Heroes are examples of what we can accomplish if we don't view age as a limitation. We want to encourage healthy lifestyles at every stage of life. All of the nominees, and our winners in particular, are role models for Mississippians of all ages:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Elizabeth Gwin of Starkville, Mississippi, for her receipt of the Blue Cross & Blue Shield Ageless Hero Award for 2003 in the category of Vitality, and extend to her the best wishes of the Senate for many more years of civic and charitable leadership.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Elizabeth Gwin and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.