Senate Resolution 10

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING CAMILLE YOUNG, RECIPIENT OF THE MISSISSIPPI BUSINESS JOURNAL "TOP 40 UNDER 40" AWARD.

WHEREAS, Camille Young, Government Affairs Representative with the law firm of Watkins Ludlam Winter and Stennis, PA., is a recipient of the Mississippi Business Journal "Top 40 Under 40" Award for 2005; and

WHEREAS, the Shannon, Mississippi, native entered into Mississippi State University (MSU) with a career other than lobbying the Legislature in mind. In 1994, she earned a degree in communication management. Two years later, she earned a master's degree in agriculture and extension education, with an emphasis in public policy, from MSU, where she was Editorial Page Editor of The Reflector, Vice President of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and a member of the Gamma Sigma Delta Honor Society; and

WHEREAS, Young completed internships with the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal and U.S. Senator Trent Lott's office. While completing graduate school, she served as a Communications Instructor and a Public Affairs Graduate Assistant for MSU. Prior to joining the Watkins Ludlam law firm as a non-attorney Government Affairs Representative, Young was a Government Relations Specialist for Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation in Jackson and Washington, D.C., and a Public Relations Specialist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture; and

WHEREAS, as a Government Affairs Representative, Young is responsible for drafting proposed legislation, grassroots lobbying and policy development for clients such as Nissan North America, MSU, Caesar's Entertainment and Northrup Grumman Ship Systems. The award-winning journalist also edits Capitol Commentary, a publication sent to clients by the law firm's Government Relations Practice Group; and

WHEREAS, Young is a member of the Mississippi 4-H Foundation Board of Trustees and serves on the MSU National Alumni Association's Board of Directors. A 2001 graduate of Leadership Jackson, she is an experienced public speaker who conducts numerous workshops and is a frequently requested motivational speaker. A Girl Scout Leader and a provisional member of the Junior League of Jackson, Young is also very involved in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority's local Upsilon Upsilon Omega Chapter and has served as Chairperson of Fashionetta, the sorority's nine-month debutante program for high school girls. She has helped raise more than $30,000 for the sorority through scholarships and community service projects; and

WHEREAS, along with her husband, Keith Young, she is involved in the Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church in Madison, where she is an at-large member of the Christian Education Ministry and a past member of the church's Public Relations Ministry. She is a dedicated volunteer at New Hope Christian School, where she is President of the Parent-Student Organization and a room mother; and

WHEREAS, the mother of three young children, Amber, Will and Kayla, Camille has earned the trust of legislators, staff and other lobbyists, and it is with pride that we recognize this citizen who has brought honor to her firm, 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 Camille Young, recipient of the Mississippi Business Journal "Top 40 Under 40" Award, and extend to her and her family the best wishes of the Senate for success in her future endeavors.

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