Senate Concurrent Resolution 533

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO COMMEND KIM LAFONTAINE, A TEACHER AT PEARL HIGH SCHOOL, UPON BEING NAMED A MILKEN FAMILY FOUNDATION NATIONAL EDUCATOR AWARD RECIPIENT.

WHEREAS, the Milken Family Foundation National Educator Awards Program, established in 1985, provides public recognition and financial rewards to teachers, principals and other education professionals who are furthering excellence in education; and

WHEREAS, the nominees must have distinguished achievement in developing innovative educational curricula, programs or teaching methods, outstanding ability to instill in students sound values and self-confidence, commitment to professional development and excellence, and outstanding ability to develop children's understanding of the direct bearing that classroom activities and real world activities have on one another; and

WHEREAS, the nominees are selected by a blue-ribbon panel chosen by the State Department of Education; and

WHEREAS, Kim LaFontaine of Pearl, Mississippi, has been a model teacher at Pearl High School; and

WHEREAS, the Pearl High School teacher has been named as a winner of the 2003 Milken Family Foundations National Educator Awards; and

WHEREAS, Milken award nominees are secretly nominated by colleagues and are told of the honor in a surprise presentation; and

WHEREAS, the Milken Foundation gives the awards in 47 states, with Mississippi having been a participant state since 1991; and

WHEREAS, Ms. LaFontaine joins 41 other Mississippi educators who have been honored; and

WHEREAS, she will receive an expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. in May of 2004; and

WHEREAS, Kim LaFontaine is praised by students and teachers alike, who appreciate her care, concern and supportiveness; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend excellence and dedication to the State of Mississippi, especially when evidenced by Mississippi's foremost educators:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Ms. Kim LaFontaine upon her selection as a recipient of a 2004 Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be presented to Ms. LaFontaine and be made available to the Principal at Pearl High School and the Capitol Press Corps.