Senate Concurrent Resolution 638

(As Adopted by Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE MONETARY SUPPORT OF PUBLIC EDUCATION AND CIVIC CONTRIBUTIONS OF RESPECTED GREENWOOD BUSINESSMAN DR. V.K. CHAWLA.

WHEREAS, Dr. V.K. Chawla's life story is certainly a fascinating and inspirational one. He survived the persecution of his family in India, immigrated to North America, settled in Greenwood, Mississippi, and built a hotel empire in the Delta that is still growing; and

WHEREAS, what makes Dr. Chawla more than just a good story is his lifelong devotion to education, and particularly the time and money he has put toward recognizing good teachers and motivating good students in this community; and

WHEREAS, as his hotel empire has grown, Dr. Chawla has always given back to his community. He helped start the annual New Teacher Reception at the Greenwood-Leflore County Chamber of Commerce more than 15 years ago. He has given incentives, ranging from $300.00 to $1,000.00 to many teachers over the years. "He is a very big proponent of education," said Beth Stevens, Executive Director. "It is evident in everything that he does for the Chamber of Commerce, education is his number one concern." In 2007, Dr. Chawla gave $11,000.00 to help create the Student Achievement Award Program, which rewards students who excel in the classroom. At the same time, he gave $21,000.00 to start the Excellence in Education Program to be given to deserving teachers. In all, Dr. Chawla has given more than $75,000.00 to students, teachers and event sponsorships; and

WHEREAS, he is a positive example to all business leaders that it is not enough just to take care of your own company and your own family, Mississippians have an obligation to try to expend our energy and talent in ways that can make a lasting difference; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Chawla played a major role in the economic development of Greenwood-Leflore County. He currently owns 12 hotels in the Mississippi Delta and 2 more in Greenville are scheduled to open in May 2008; Econo Lodge of Greenwood opened August 1989; Econo Lodge of Cleveland, October 1992; Econo Lodge of Greenville, April 1995; Comfort Inn Cleveland, June 1998; Comfort Inn Clarksdale, September 1998; Holiday Inn Express Cleveland, September 2003; Hampton Inn Greenwood, March 2005; Holiday Inn Express Greenville, July 2005; Holiday Inn Express Grenada, October 2005; Hampton Inn Cleveland, April 2007; Comfort Inn Greenville, April 2007; and Holiday Inn Express Greenwood, July 2007; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Chawla's 12 hotels create over $1 Million annually in sales tax revenue for the State of Mississippi and $250,000.00 annually in local tourism tax revenue; and

WHEREAS, his hotel corporation could only have started from a pioneering spirit. For his devotion to helping Leflore County's children through donations to education, he received the Greenwood Commonwealth's 20th Community Service Award; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Chawla's family provides much support to the family business and civic activities. Dr. Chawla's wife is Chander Chawla. His eldest son, Dinesh Chawla of Cleveland, Mississippi, and wife, Parveen, have two sons, Sameer and Nayan. His youngest son, Suresh Chawla of Greenwood, Mississippi, and wife, Gauri, have one son, Sunjay, 7, and one daughter, Dia, 4; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we join Greenwood and Leflore County in recognizing the expertise and contributions of this businessman whose economic development and civic energy all bring respect to the Mississippi Delta and to the State of Mississippi: NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize and commend the monetary efforts in support of public education and economic and civic energy of respected Greenwood businessman Dr. V.K. Chawla, and extend to him and his family our best wishes.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Dr. Chawla, forwarded to the Greenwood-Leflore Chamber of Commerce, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.