Senate Concurrent Resolution 621

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING ITAWAMBA AGRICULTURAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR EMILY WHITE OF FULTON, MISSISSIPPI, AS A DISTINGUISHED FINALIST IN THE 2010 PRUDENTIAL SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY AWARD FOR YOUTH VOLUNTEERS IN MISSISSIPPI.

WHEREAS, Emily White, of Fulton, Mississippi, a Senior at Itawamba Agricultural High School, has been named a Distinguished Finalist as a youth volunteer in the 2010 Prudential Spirit of Community Award; and

WHEREAS, this prestigious award, now in its 15th year, presented by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals, honors young volunteers across America who have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to serving their communities; and

WHEREAS, Emily White has spent four weeks over the past two years volunteering in the Philippines on an annual church mission trip. While there, she taught moral and spiritual values to schoolchildren and adults, and distributed donated medical supplies, Bibles and children's clothing; and

WHEREAS, the program's judges recognized Emily and three other Mississippi students as Distinguished Finalists for their impressive community service activities; and

WHEREAS, all public and private middle-level and high schools in the country, as well as all Girl Scout councils, county 4-H organizations, American Red Cross chapters, YMCA's, Camp Fire USA councils and volunteer centers, were eligible to select a student or member for a local Prudential Spirit of Community Award this past November. Local honorees were then reviewed by state-level judges, who selected State Honorees and Distinguished Finalists based on criteria such as personal initiative, creativity, effort, impact and personal growth; and

WHEREAS, ten of the State Honorees - five middle-level and five high school students - will be named America's top ten youth volunteers of the year by a prestigious national selection committee. These National Honorees will receive an additional $5,000.00, a gold medallion and a crystal trophy. In addition, the ten National Honorees will have a total of $250,000.00 in children's products donated in their names to needy children in their communities by Kids in Distressed Situations, Inc., the national charity of the children's apparel and products industry; and

WHEREAS, the success of the State of Mississippi, the strength of our communities and the overall vitality of American society depend, in great measure, upon the dedication of young people like Emily, who use their considerable talents and resources to serve others:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Itawamba Agricultural High School student Emily White, of Fulton, Mississippi, as a Distinguished Finalist in the 2010 Prudential Spirit of Community Award, and recognize her outstanding record of volunteer service, peer leadership and community spirit and extend to Emily and her family the best wishes for success in her future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Emily and her family and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.