Senate Concurrent Resolution 537

(As Adopted by Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING MCCOMB HIGH SCHOOL JUNIOR, KASIE BETH ECKMAN, UPON BEING NAMED THE 2004 WINNER OF THE PRUDENTIAL SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY AWARD FOR MISSISSIPPI.

WHEREAS, Kasie Beth Eckman, a McComb High School Junior, who developed a program to teach children ways to avoid being abducted, has been named one of the state's top youth volunteers this year, winning the Mississippi Prudential Spirit of Community Award; and

WHEREAS, Kasie's award was very timely, being announced on February 3, 2004, the same day the nation watched a videotape showing the weekend abduction of a Florida girl; and

WHEREAS, Eckman was one of 20,000 students who entered the contest for the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards; she will go to Washington, D.C., in May to compete with volunteers across the country; and

WHEREAS, national child kidnapping cases led Eckman to initiate her program, "Smart Thinking in Courageous Kids." The program, which she calls STICK, teaches elementary school children to avoid strangers who might harm them; and

WHEREAS, Eckman, who was nominated by the Girl Scouts Council of Middle Mississippi in Jackson, enlisted assistance from her fellow Girl Scouts and group leader and friends to develop a three-session program. The program includes stranger safety tips called the Triple T's - take three steps back, turn and run, and tell someone you trust. Eckman also made up a song using the tune from Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star; and

WHEREAS, Eckman organized help from about 25 volunteers to teach the program. So far, about 1,300 McComb school children have participated; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this special accomplishment of a student whose community spirit and service is a model for all young Mississippians:

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 McComb High School Junior, Kasie Beth Eckman, upon being named the winner of the 2004 Prudential Spirit of Community Award for Mississippi, and extend to her the best wishes of the Legislature for success in her future competition and in her academic career.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Kasie and her parents, and be made available to the Principal of McComb High School and members of the Capitol Press Corps.