MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2005 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Harden, Butler, Dawkins, Frazier, Horhn, Jackson (11th), Thomas, Dearing

Senate Resolution 44

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE MISSISSIPPI CHAPTER OF THE LINKS, INC., FOR THEIR SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION ADDRESSING THE ELIMINATION OF HEALTH DISPARITIES AND WELCOMING THEM ON THE OCCASION OF "LINKS DAY AT THE CAPITOL" ON MARCH 24, 2005.

     WHEREAS, the Southern Area of The Links, Inc., and its members, Black women from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina and South Carolina, will gather in their individual state's capitol cities to let their legislative representatives know that they want 'Healthy People 2010' legislation passed by their state legislatures.  These women are members of The Links, Incorporated, an organization of more than 10,000 members who are linked together by 275 chapters around the globe in order to enrich, sustain and ensure the identities, culture and economic survival of all people of African origin; and

     WHEREAS, "Links Day at the Capitol" is a project of the Southern Area of The Links.  There are 2,500 members in 75 chapters of The Links in the Southern Area.  The Links hope to have an impact on their state capitols and flex the collective organizational strength and influence of their membership.  Visitations at state capitols will begin in February and will be scheduled through the end of varying state legislative sessions.  The Links State Project Coordinator for the State of Mississippi is Angela Miller from the Natchez Chapter of The Links, Inc.; and

     WHEREAS, in conducting "Links Day at the Capitol," Links will meet with their state legislators in small groups to communicate and bring awareness to a unified Links message, the elimination of health disparities.  Its goal is to encourage state legislators across our area that this initiative promotes national health objectives designed to identify the most significant preventable threats to health and national goals to reduce these threats; and

     WHEREAS, the 'Healthy People 2010' focus areas of concentration for The Links will include:  Infant Mortality, Cancer, Cardiovascular Disease, Diabetes, HIV Infections/AIDS and Immunizations; and

     WHEREAS, the local affiliates of The Links, Inc., are as follows:  Vicksburg Chapter, President, Link Magnolia Hampton; LeFleur's Bluff Chapter, President, Link Geraldine Thompson Kelly; Jackson Chapter, President, Link Terryce Walker; Natchez Chapter, President, Mary Lee Toles; and Columbus Chapter, President, Link Dorothy Colom; and

     WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the plans and efforts of this dedicated group of Mississippians:

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we commend The Mississippi Links, Inc., for their support of legislation addressing the elimination of health disparities and welcoming them to their state capitol on the occasion of "Links Day at the Capitol."

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this resolution be presented to the participants of Links Day at the Capitol in Mississippi on March 24, 2005, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.