House Concurrent Resolution 148

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AARON E. HENRY COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES CENTER, INC., FOR ITS COMMITMENT TO HEALTH CARE AND PARTNERING WITH THE HEINZ FAMILY PHILANTHROPIC FOUNDATION.

WHEREAS, Aaron E. Henry Community Health Services Center, Inc., is committed to the health care of the citizens of Panola, Tunica, Coahoma and Quitman Counties; and

WHEREAS, Aaron E. Henry Community Health Services Center, Inc., is a Section 330(e) federally qualified health center located in the heart of the agricultural Mississippi Delta; and

WHEREAS, having been incorporated in the State of Mississippi on April 27, 1979, in honor of Dr. Aaron E. Henry, an

African-American pharmacist who served as a state representative and civil rights activist from Clarksdale, Mississippi, the organization was funded by the Department of Health and Human Services and began service delivery in Clarksdale in August of 1980; and

WHEREAS, Aaron E. Henry Health Services Center has been answering the call of Mississippi Delta residents seeking comprehensive, affordable health care for themselves and their families for close to 30 years, with an approach that includes services aimed at promoting healthier lifestyles; and

WHEREAS, complete primary and preventive medical care to dental services, family planning, pediatrics, public transportation, social services, nutritional education and community outreach are just some of the resources that are offered to assist people in their everyday lives, with the goal of the center, "to provide quality health care when caring counts"; and WHEREAS, the Batesville Clinic has facilitated a partnership with the Heinz Family Philanthropic Foundation, Deshea Townsend's Pay It Forward Foundation, and other entities supporting and participating in the Pay It Forward annual children's football and cheerleader camps and health fair; and

WHEREAS, the Heinz Family Philanthropies are a vigorous, forward-thinking group of foundations that include the Teresa and H. John Heinz III Foundation, the H. John Heinz III Foundation and the Heinz Family Foundation; and

WHEREAS, the Heinz Family Philanthropies focus on issues involving human health and aging, the environment and women's economic opportunities; and

WHEREAS, NFL football star safety Deshea Townsend's Pay It Forward Foundation educates and inspires students to realize they can change the world, and provides them with opportunities to do so by bringing the vision and materials into classrooms internationally; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to commend an entity such as Aaron E. Henry Community Health Services Center, Inc., that is dedicated to the health and welfare of the people of 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 Aaron E. Henry Community Health Services Center, Inc., for its commitment to health care and partnering with the Heinz Family Philanthropic Foundation and express sincere wishes for continued success in all of their future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Aaron E. Henry Community Health Services Center, Inc., and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.