MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2004 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Dawkins, Gollott, Hewes, Cuevas, Lee (47th), Harden, Jackson (11th), Jordan, Little, Morgan, White, Frazier, Dearing, Williamson, Flowers, Jackson (15th), Pickering, Simmons, Horhn, Brown, Michel, Thames, Butler, Carmichael, Clarke, Lee (35th), Chamberlin, Wilemon, Hyde-Smith, Thomas, Mettetal
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION DESIGNATING THE WEEK OF MARCH 28, 2004, AS "NATIONAL BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB WEEK" TO HIGHLIGHT THE IMPORTANCE OF BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.
WHEREAS, March 28-April 3, 2004, is "National Boys and Girls Club Week," the purpose of which is to emphasize the importance of Boys and Girls Clubs across the nation; and
WHEREAS, in every community, boys and girls are left to find their own recreation and companionship in the streets and an increasing number of children are at home with no adult care or supervision; and
WHEREAS, Boys and Girls Clubs of America offer programs and services to promote and enhance the development of boys and girls by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging and influence; and
WHEREAS, more than 25 national programs are available in the areas of education, the environment, health, the arts, careers, alcohol/drug and pregnancy prevention, gang prevention, leadership development and athletics; and
WHEREAS, Boys and Girls Clubs of America had its beginnings in 1860 when several women, believing that boys who roamed the streets should have a positive alternative, organized the first club in Hartford, Connecticut; and
WHEREAS, in 1906, several Boys Clubs decided to affiliate, forming the Federated Boys Clubs in Boston, Massachusetts with 53 member organizations; and
WHEREAS, in 1931, the Boys Club Federation of America became Boys Clubs of America, and in 1956, the Boys Clubs of America celebrated its 50th anniversary and received a United States Congressional charter; and
WHEREAS, to recognize the fact that girls are a part of the cause as well, the national organization's name was changed in 1990 to Boys and Girls Clubs of America, and accordingly, Congress amended and renewed the charter; and
WHEREAS, today, over 3.6 million boys and girls are served in 3,300 club locations in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands plus domestic and international military bases; and
WHEREAS, Boys and Girls Clubs of America's efficient use of financial resources has won national recognition. In its latest "Philanthropy 400" report, The Chronicle of Philanthropy ranked Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) Number One among youth organizations for the eighth consecutive year, and Number Eleven among all nonprofit organizations; and
WHEREAS, in 2001 and 2002, WORTH magazine ranked Boys and Girls Clubs of America one of the "100 Best Charities in America" based on financial efficiency, strength of reputation and program effectiveness:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That March 28-April 3, 2004, is hereby designated as "National Boys and Girls Club Week" to highlight the importance of Boys and Girls Clubs within the community.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be furnished to the Mississippi Chapter of the Boys and Girls Club of America and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.