Senate Resolution 23

A SENATE RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING RADIO STATION WJZD (JZ 94.5) IN GULFPORT, MISSISSIPPI, THE ONLY AFRICAN-AMERICAN OWNED FM STATION ON THE GULF COAST, ON THE OCCASION OF ITS 10TH ANNIVERSARY.

WHEREAS, WJZD (JZ94.5) is the only African-American owned FM station on the Gulf Coast in Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama; and

WHEREAS, it is one of only three stand alone locally-owned FM stations on the Coast; and

WHEREAS, WJZD prides itself on ten years of community service; and

WHEREAS, over the last ten years WJZD has registered approximately 10,000 new voters. In 1999, when the little town of Princeville, North Carolina, said to be the oldest town in the country chartered by African Americans, was flooded by Hurricane Floyd, WJZD started a drive to collect food, water, clothing and over $3,000 and sent a tractor trailer full of goods to help. When Ada Mason, mother of two with family ties to the coast, was killed in the 9/11 tragedy at the Pentagon, WJZD raised several thousand dollars to help her children. When Sergeant Vanessa Turner returned to this country from Iraq, injured and homeless, WJZD listeners raised over $5,000.00 to assist her and her daughter. In the past decade, WJZD has participated in blood drives and health fairs, given gas away to ease the crunch of rising gas prices, collected items to send to our troops in Iraq, helped purchase championship rings and jackets for the Gulfport High School Basketball Team; and

WHEREAS, the station has won numerous awards from state and local organizations for its work in the community; and

WHEREAS, to commemorate the anniversary WJZD plans an entire weekend of celebrations. The celebration begins April 9th with the nationally-syndicated Tom Joyner Sky Show at the Beau Rivage Resort and Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi. "It's A New Day," the coast number one talk show which airs on WJZD weekdays, will have a live broadcast and an anniversary brunch at the Beau Rivage Resort and Casino. On Saturday, the Annual Keepers of the Pledge Commemoration of the Native Guard in Jones Park in Gulfport will be followed by the Ride of the Buffalo Soldiers with Tom Joyner serving as Grand Marshall, and the long awaited anniversary concert with Ron Isley and the Isley Brothers. On Easter Sunday, Jones Park ends the weekend celebration with an Easter Egg Hunt WJZD style; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pleasure that we recognize the 10th Anniversary of this groundbreaking radio station, which, through its community and charitable service, has brought honor to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Radio Station WJZD (JZ 94.5)in Gulfport, Mississippi, the only African-American owned FM Station on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, on the occasion of its 10th Anniversary, and extend to the owners and managers of this station the best wishes of the Legislature on their future success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the owners and managers of Radio Station WJZD and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.