Senate Resolution 6

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING BELINDA HOUSTON OF PRENTISS COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, FOR RECEIVING THE TOASTMASTERS INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENTIAL CITATION FOR 2004-2005.

WHEREAS, Belinda Houston, resident of Prentiss County, and a native of Cleveland, Mississippi, was honored recently by Toastmasters International; and

WHEREAS, Toastmasters International is a nonprofit educational organization that provides members a comfortable, friendly atmosphere to practice public speaking and leadership skills. Members achieve regular recognition as they complete levels which take them from merely learning to be comfortable in front of a group to advanced projects involving their workplace, community or District-wide conferences. There are over 10,000 clubs worldwide and over 200,000 members in 100 countries; and

WHEREAS, at the International Convention during Toastmaster Year 2004-2005, Ted Corcoran of Dublin, Ireland, the 2003-2004 International President of Toastmasters International, awarded Belinda with the Presidential Citation. This is one of the highest honors awarded by Toastmasters International; and

WHEREAS, in presenting the award, Corcoran said, "Belinda is a dedicated Toastmaster committed to her district's success. She epitomizes the values and professionalism of our organization. As District Governor, she motivated her district team to achieve Distinguished District, and she is again serving as a District Officer, working to make the district successful"; and

WHEREAS, she joined Toastmasters in 1991 and has held almost every office of the club as well as the top three offices in the District. All officers are volunteers; and

WHEREAS, she earned the Area Governor of the Year Award in 1993-1994; in 1994-1995, she served as Division Governor; in 1995-1996 and 1996-1997, she served as Public Relations Officer; in 1997-1998, she served as Lt. Governor Marketing; in 1998-1999, as District Governor of District 43, she led the District to Distinguished District status; in 2003-2004, as Lt. Governor Marketing, she earned the Excellence in Marketing Award; and

WHEREAS, Belinda presently holds the second highest office in the District, Lt. Governor Education and Training, and has earned the Excellence in Education and Training Award for 2004-2005. She takes office again July 1 as District Governor for the July 1, 2005 - June 30, 2006, Toastmaster Year. She is also President of the Tupelo Toastmasters Club; and

WHEREAS, during her 14 years as a Toastmaster, she has sponsored and mentored new clubs and new club members. District 43 covers the area from Vicksburg, Jackson and Meridian north in Mississippi, west of the Tennessee River in Tennessee, and all of Arkansas. There are 77 clubs in District 43. In her current position, Belinda travels the three states conducting club officer training and educational sessions; and

WHEREAS, Belinda, the former Belinda Norwood, graduated from Cleveland High School in 1955. She retired from the Internal Revenue Service in Memphis, Tennessee, on December 31, 1999, and moved to the Burton Community east of Booneville, Mississippi, where she lives with her husband, N.B. Houston. She is active and has varied interests. She is President of the Burton Community Historical Society, Vice President of the Mississippi Canine Coalition, Inc., Secretary of the Senior Citizens Fellowship Group, and writes part-time for the Banner Independent newspaper in Booneville; and

WHEREAS, it is with pride that we recognize the special recognition received by this Mississippian whose civic contributions have brought honor 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 Belinda Houston of Prentiss County, Mississippi, for receiving the Toastmasters International Presidential Citation for 2004-2005, and extend to her the best wishes of the Senate in her future civic endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Belinda Houston and her family and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.