Senate Resolution 46

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING STARKVILLE RESIDENT MISSOURI MONTGOMERY UPON BEING NAMED BLUE CROSS & BLUE SHIELD'S AGELESS HERO WINNER FOR 2003.

WHEREAS, according to those who know her, Missouri Montgomery "holds all the qualities of an angel on earth". At age 73, Montgomery begins each day by 5:30 a.m. to take several of her neighbors to work. She returns by 6:30 a.m. to be sure her two great-grandchildren and a foster child who lives with her are ready for school. She cares for her disabled son and then is off again to take others to work between 7:30 and 9:00 a.m., and that's just for starters; and

WHEREAS, in recognition of her kindness and helpfulness, Montgomery was honored as a Mississippi Ageless Hero at a January 28, 2003, awards luncheon at the Lake Terrace Convention Center in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. 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 statewide honoree in the Good Neighbor category, Montgomery also cares for a friend with cancer across town, bringing her food and sometimes taking her to Columbus for treatment. She delivers food to senior citizens two days each week. Each afternoon, Montgomery makes her rounds again, picking up her neighbors after work. Montgomery says she believes in giving back the blessings that God has given her; and

WHEREAS, in addition to helping out her neighbors each and everyday, Montgomery still finds time to work in her church's hospitality ministry. She prepares fresh fruit baskets for the Pastor every Sunday morning and prepares meals following church events and for bereaved families after funerals. Whether she's taking care of a sick family or friends or making trips to Jackson for someone who needs a ride, Montgomery does it without complaint and never asks or expects payment in return; and

WHEREAS, Montgomery 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 Starkville resident Missouri Montgomery upon being named Blue Cross & Blue Shield's Ageless Hero Winner for 2003 in the category of Good Neighbor, and extend to her the best wishes of the Senate for her future civic and charitable endeavors.

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