Senate Resolution 9

(As Adopted by Senate)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING SOLLIE B. NORWOOD FOR RECEIVING THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE COMMUNITY SERVICES PROGRAMS 2007 "ANN KAGIE" AWARD.

WHEREAS, the National Association of State Community Services Programs (NASCSP) has announced that the recipient of the 2007 Ann Kagie Award is Sollie B. Norwood, Division Director for Community Services at the Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS). Each year the NASCSP presents the Ann Kagie Award to recognize a partner who has made outstanding and significant contributions to Community Services Block Grant Programs; and

WHEREAS, Sollie Norwood joined the Mississippi Department of Human Services in 1988. He is a graduate of Jackson State University with a Masters Degree in Guidance and Counseling. Norwood also is a member of the National Association for State Community Services Programs. He is a member of the Jackson Public School Board and a former Jackson Parent of the Year; and

WHEREAS, during his tenure at MDHS, he has implemented the Responsible Fatherhood Initiative for which he is an avid supporter. In addition, Norwood was instrumental during the creation of MS ROMA, a nationally recognized client tracking system; and

WHEREAS, NASCSP is a professional association for state administrators of the Community Services Block Grant Program (CSBG) which is a federal antipoverty block grant program. CSBG funds operations of the state-administered network of local agencies that create, coordinate, and deliver programs and services to low-income Americans. CSBG services include weatherization, energy assistance, child care, nutrition, employment assistance and housing in urban, suburban and rural communities; and

WHEREAS, prior recipients of the Ann Kagie Award include Bingham Pope, Manager of Program Evaluation at the University of Tennessee; Lois J. Carson, CCAP, Executive Director of Riverside County Department of Community Action; and Representative David Obey of Wisconsin; and

WHEREAS, the awards ceremony was held at the NASCSP Mid-Winter Training Conference in Washington, D.C., February 16, 2007; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the service of this dedicated state employee whose work has brought honor to his agency 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 Sollie B. Norwood for receiving the National Association of State Community Services Programs 2007 Ann Kagie Award for his significant contributions to community services programs, and extend to him and his family our best wishes in his future excellent public service efforts.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Sollie Norwood and forwarded to the Executive Director of the Department of Human Services and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.