Senate Resolution 43

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING MRS. ELIZABETH MATTHEWS OF CLINTON, MISSISSIPPI, RECIPIENT OF THE 2004 BLUE CROSS & BLUE SHIELD OF MISSISSIPPI AGELESS HERO AWARD IN THE CATEGORY OF GOOD NEIGHBOR.

WHEREAS, Mrs. Elizabeth Matthews of Clinton, Mississippi, an 87-year-old who helped start the Magnolia Speech School, was recently honored as a recipient of the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Ageless Hero Award, which recognizes those over 65 who demonstrate activity, vitality and accomplishment; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Matthews is the Central Region honoree in the Good Neighbor category. She was one of 400 nominees for the Seventh Annual Program. Judges chose 24 nominees ranging in age from 66 to 106; and

WHEREAS, in honor of Mrs. Matthews, Blue Cross will donate $500 to Magnolia Speech School. Anne Sullivan, Director of Magnolia Speech School, nominated her for the award; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Matthews took steps to become a teacher and started Magnolia Speech School after learning her son, Keith, was deaf. She found the prospect of him leading an isolated life apart from the hearing world to be unacceptable. Magnolia Speech School, which began with seven students in her living room, has become one of the country's leading schools for hearing impaired and language-disordered children; and

WHEREAS, after serving as Director from 1956-1974, Elizabeth retired, but has remained involved. She has served as Director Emeritus, volunteered as a Teacher and raised funds for the school. Mrs. Matthews raised $10,000 in the fall of 2003 for the school and she is also a very active member of Parkway Baptist Church in Clinton; and

WHEREAS, Elizabeth Matthews has touched the lives of thousands of people over the years, not only the deaf children she educated and helped in so many ways, but also the parents of these children. She is cherished as a friend, as well as an expert in the field of deaf education; and

WHEREAS, it is with pride that we recognize the determination of this Ageless Hero, who has contributed so much to her community and 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 Mrs. Elizabeth Matthews of Clinton, Mississippi, recipient of the 2004 Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Ageless Hero Award in the category of Good Neighbor, and extend to her the best wishes of the Senate on her future endeavors.

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