House Concurrent Resolution 131

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING DR. GWENDOLYN SPENCER PRATER OF MADISON, MISSISSIPPI, FOR HER ACADEMIC, PROFESSIONAL AND CIVIC ACHIEVEMENTS.

WHEREAS, Dr. Gwendolyn Spencer Prater is being recognized and honored for her outstanding academic, professional and civic achievements; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Prater, of Madison, Mississippi, a woman of many talents, received a bachelor of arts degree at Tougaloo College; a master of social work degree at Ohio State University; and a doctor of philosophy degree in social work at the University of Southern California; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Prater's numerous career accomplishments include her tenure at Jackson State University where she served as Assistant Professor of Social Work, Associate Professor of Social Work, Professor of Social Work, Professor of Health Sciences, Behavioral Health Education, Founding Dean of the School of Social Work and Founding Dean of the College of Public Service; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Prater tirelessly contributed to the social work profession and brought recognition to Jackson State University through her scholarly presentations and publications; and

WHEREAS, outstanding in her role as instructor, Dr. Prater taught across the social work curricula at both undergraduate and graduate levels where she positively influenced those in the field of social work; and

WHEREAS, during her valuable tenure as Founding Dean of the School of Social Work, Dr. Prater's exemplary leadership led to the reaffirmation of accreditation of the Bachelor of Social Work Program and the development and accreditation of the Master of Social Work Program; and

WHEREAS, during her effective tenure as the Founding Dean of the College of Public Service, Dr. Prater's outstanding leadership led to the reaffirmation of accreditation of the Department of Communicative Disorders, the Department of Public Policy and Administration, the social work programs and the accreditation of the public health programs at Jackson State University; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Prater's driving motivation and leadership led to the establishment of the Mississippi Child Welfare Institute, the Southern Institute for Mental Health Advocacy, Research and Training, the Center for Urban Planning and Policy Assessment, and the expansion of activities in the Mississippi Center for Technology Transfer, the Center of Excellence in Minority Health and Research Services, and the Institute of Epidemiology and Health Services Research for the purpose of providing information and services to "build healthy communities"; and

WHEREAS, as a nurturing and selfless mentor, Dr. Prater provided a supportive academic environment that prepares students from diverse backgrounds for outstanding professional and innovative leadership in their respective disciplines; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Prater's commitment to public service has included the following: fundraising activities for tsunami and Hurricane Katrina victims, and international outreach/research opportunities at the University of Nairobi in Kenya, the University of Yaounde in Cameroon, the Universities of Capetown and Pretoria in South Africa, the University of Zululand, the Department of Social Work, Kwadlangezwa, South Africa and Brazil B Sao Paulo, Bahia, Rio de Janeiro; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Prater's impressive and professional leadership are further underscored by her accomplishments in the following capacities: consultant, Fayetteville State University -

reviewer of Fayetteville State University's authorization to establish a Master of Social Work Program, Fayetteville, North Carolina; consultant/evaluator, Adoption Opportunities Program, Mississippi Department of Human Services; consultant, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Africana Studies Department, Charlotte, North Carolina; external reviewer, Hunter College, School of Social Work, New York, New York; and consultant, Mississippi Families for Kids Project, W.K. Kellogg Foundation; and

WHEREAS, many consider Dr. Prater an "educator extraordinaire," "the energy driven motivator," "the nurturing mentor," and "the ultimate community activist mover and shaker," all descriptions which she aptly deserves; and

WHEREAS, in addition to her outstanding and impressive career, Dr. Gwendolyn Spencer Prater is the daughter of Louis and Trudy Spencer, the loving wife of Wesley F. Prater, the caring mother of Wesley Spencer Prater and Djenaba Prater Swan and the doting grandmother of Aden; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to commend and congratulate an individual, such as Dr. Gwendolyn S. Prater, who displays excellence in her profession and in her service to her community and the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Dr. Gwendolyn Spencer Prater of Madison, Mississippi, for her exemplary academic, professional and civic accomplishments, and extend to her our best wishes on her future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Dr. Gwendolyn Spencer Prater and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.