House Resolution 81

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING KENNETH WILLIAMS, PRESIDENT OF CORINTH COCA-COLA BOTTLING WORKS, FOR RUNNING THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF MISSISSIPPI TO ENCOURAGE THE STATE TO "STEP WITH IT!" FOR GOOD HEALTH.

WHEREAS, on September 20, 2004, Kenneth Williams, President of Corinth Coca-Cola Bottling Works, began his run of the entire length of the State of Mississippi to raise awareness of the importance of physical activity by officially kicking off the 400-mile run in his hometown of Corinth, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Williams' run through Mississippi was done to promote "Step With It! Mississippi," which teaches middle school students a fun way to incorporate physical activity into their daily lives; and

WHEREAS, the "Step With It!" program, developed by the Coca-Cola Company in partnership with the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE), challenges middle school students to take a minimum of 10,000 steps a day to maintain good health through a more active lifestyle; and

WHEREAS, in Mississippi, the "Step With It!" program raised $110,000.00 through donations collected at Trustmark Bank branches and at Boys and Girls Clubs enabling Boys and Girls Clubs throughout the state to support physical education programs; and

WHEREAS, the "Step With It! Mississippi" kickoff also marked the 63rd birthday of Williams, an avid runner and Mississippi native, who has completed 27 marathons and coached many first-time marathoners through their first race; and

WHEREAS, while on the journey, Williams ran 12 to 15 miles per day, six days a week and made appearances at schools and Boys and Girls Clubs along the way; and

WHEREAS, on October 26, 2004, the run was completed with a final leg of two miles from the Gulfport Coca-Cola Plant to the beach; and

WHEREAS, Williams hopes his adventure will inspire more than just middle school students to become active, stating "I want to prove that anyone, at any age, can accomplish their goals"; and WHEREAS, Williams' civic contributions to his community and state are impressive: he is an Alumni of Leadership Mississippi, Past Rotary President and District Governor, former Chairman of the Mississippi Economic Council, Chairman of the Mississippi Partnership for Economic Development, CEO of the Corinth Alcorn Area Chamber of Commerce, Northeast Mississippi Community College Development Foundation President and member of the Northeast Mississippi Workforce Development Board; and

WHEREAS, Williams is supported by his wife, Nancy Ann Kincade of Clarksdale, Mississippi, and the couple has four children; and WHEREAS, it is with great pride that the House of Representatives recognizes the special accomplishments of Kenneth Williams, whose civic leadership is a model for all Mississippians:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Kenneth Williams, President of Corinth Coca-Cola Bottling Works, for running the entire length of Mississippi to encourage the state to "Step With It!" for good health, and extend to him and his family the best wishes in all their future endeavors for future success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Kenneth Williams and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.