House Resolution 103

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE CITY OF PETAL, MISSISSIPPI, FOR BEING NAMED THE STATE'S FIRST "EXCEL BY FIVE" COMMUNITY.

WHEREAS, the City of Petal, Mississippi, is the first community in the state to be named an "Excel by Five" community; and

WHEREAS, Mississippi First Lady Marsha Barbour joined with early childhood development experts and Chevron representatives to launch "Excel by Five"; and

WHEREAS, "Excel by Five" is a community-based educational program designed to improve a child's overall well-being by age five by setting forth a variety of standards involving parent training, community participation, child care and health by focusing on supporting pre-kindergarten children and their families; and

WHEREAS, Chevron funded this program with a $650,000.00 grant that will enable the program to be piloted in Cleveland, West Point, Petal and Pascagoula; and

WHEREAS, the Phil Hardin Foundation of Meridian has donated $35,000.00; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Barbour acknowledges that the success of "Excel by Five" will ultimately be determined by community support and participation; and

WHEREAS, the citizens of Petal are excited and honored to be the first city chosen by the "Excel by Five" program; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and honor cities that strive to improve the lives of the children of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the City of Petal, Mississippi, for being named the state's first "Excel By Five" community.

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